Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that the issue of cyberbullying on social media will be presented to the cabinet on Friday, July 12, 2024. The discussion will include legal and enforcement aspects to address the matter. He mentioned that, in addition to reporting on a case involving an influencer on TikTok who allegedly committed suicide due to cyberbullying, the presentation was also requested by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
According to Bernama, he told the reporters, “We don’t just report what happened, but take action, especially if we need to amend the law, and what are the current weaknesses,” after visiting the family of the TikTok influencer.
The 29-year-old female influencer was discovered dead in her home around 11am last Friday. Fahmi stated that the primary challenge in addressing cyberbullying is that most offenders use fake accounts, making it difficult to identify them. He explained that one of the complaints received by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the Communications Ministry from the police is that accounts engaged in abusive activities often hide behind fake profiles. This makes it difficult to identify the individuals responsible for the comments or involved in the scams.
Fahmi mentioned that the victim’s family has filed a police report, and the ministry has communicated with TikTok, which has shown a willingness to cooperate more proactively. He also urged the public, including civil servants, to avoid engaging in cyberbullying. Fahmi elaborated that his ministry would contemplate amending current laws related to cyberbullying. He emphasized that those responsible for the influencer’s death should be held accountable.
“This matter was conveyed to the Prime Minister yesterday, and I have also discussed it with the Digital Minister, Gobind Singh Deo, and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. We share a common stance on this issue and will meet in a few days. Offenses include not only actions such as humiliation or disclosing personal information, which is a violation of the Personal Data Protection Act. We will hold a meeting to review the existing laws and determine the necessary steps to take.”
Additionally, Fahmi stated that his ministry supports the decree of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, who urged the public to avoid using social media platforms for arguments or shaming others, as these actions only foster division and conflict. Fahmi further mentioned that his ministry plans to implement various measures to enhance internet safety, addressing incidents of cyberbullying not only on TikTok but also on other social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.
The comprehensive initiatives and urgent actions outlined by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil underscore the escalating seriousness of cyberbullying across social media platforms. With recent tragic incidents highlighting the devastating impact of online harassment, Fahmi’s proactive stance, including legal reforms and collaborative efforts with stakeholders like TikTok, reflects a crucial step towards finding effective solutions. The commitment to amend existing laws and enhance internet safety underscores the imperative to protect individuals from the harmful effects of cyberbullying, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility and swift action to ensure a safer digital environment for all.
Source: Bernama
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