The issue of cyber bullying will be presented to the Cabinet this Friday, said Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of cyber bullying on social media platforms will be presented in the Cabinet meeting this Friday to find the best solution, including legal and enforcement aspects, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He said the presentation was requested by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and it will touch upon a report involving a TikTok influencer allegedly committing suicide due to stress due to cyber bullying.

“We will not only report what happened, but (will also) take action, especially if we need to amend the act, and we will see what the weaknesses are now,” he said after visiting the family of a TikTok influencer who allegedly committed suicide after being a victim of cyberbullying in Gombak Setia, in here.

The body of the 29-year-old female influencer was found in her home at about 11am last Friday.

Fahmi said that the main problem in dealing with cyber bullying is that most perpetrators hide behind fake accounts, making it difficult to identify their identities.

“One of the complaints received by the Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) and the Ministry of Communications from the police is that accounts involved in various abuse activities are hidden behind ‘fake accounts’, unable to identify the identity of individuals who make comments or are involved in scams and so on.”

According to him, the influencer’s family made a police report and the ministry in relation to TikTok expressed their willingness to cooperate more proactively.

He further advised the public, including civil servants to avoid becoming cyber bullies, instead continue to maintain the eastern manners and culture.

He said his party would consider the need to amend the existing act related to cyber bullying and insisted that individuals involved in the death of the influencer would be brought to justice.

“This matter was informed to the prime minister yesterday and I have spoken to the Digital Minister, Gobind Singh Deo as well as the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legal and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said. We have the same position on this issue and will meet in a few days.

“Mistakes are not only in issues such as humiliating or disclosing personal information which is an offense under the Personal Data Protection Act, so God willing we will hold a meeting and examine the existing law and what steps we need to take.”

In addition, Fahmi said, his party upholds the order of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, today reminding the people not to use social media as a platform to argue and open shame because it will be the cause of division and conflict.