Ministers to discuss ways to combat cyberbullying after TikToker’s death
KUALA LUMPUR: Cyberbullying-related issues will be discussed at a meeting between Minister of Communications Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Digital Infrastructure Gobind Singh Deo, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
According to Fahmi, the purpose of the meeting is to get feedback from all sides before bringing up the matter in this Friday’s Cabinet meeting, as the national news agency Bernama reported today.
“We need to make sure that the internet is safe to use, especially for families and children. So, we need to exercise caution. All of this will be discussed with the two concerned ministers before being brought before the Cabinet this Friday,” Bernama cited him as saying.
After the CelcomDigi Artificial Intelligence Experience Centre was opened yesterday at the CelcomDigi Hub in Subang Jaya, he made this statement.
Fahmi also disclosed that at least two journalists had received threatening messages from a person thought to be connected to a cyberbullying case involving a female influencer who was discovered dead.
“A minimum of two journalists reached out to me, expressing their displeasure that the individual suspected of cyberbullying the deceased Esha (A. Rajeswary) had also reached out to them, instilling fear in them.”
When asked about cyberbullies using fictitious social media identities, he responded, “This is because (the individual) was willing to take pictures of their residences and family members, so this is a criminal threat,” according to Bernama.
Fahmi claimed that despite the fact that it is illegal, the majority of cyberbullies on social media create fake accounts in order to evade discovery.
He continued by saying that many victims of cyberbullying suffer in silence and choose not to come forward with their experiences, which makes it challenging to take legal action.
Cyberbullying charges are currently an issue, particularly when they occur during live broadcasts, as was the case with the late Esha. Her photo was posted by some cyberbullies as a TikTok live background, inviting hundreds of users to make fun of it even going so far as to harass her sexually.
“The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) should take action against several individuals who were found on Facebook or TikTok live using language that can be interpreted as cyberbullying or posting offensive content or comments that violate the law,” he was quoted as saying. “Therefore, we must set limits.”