PUTRAJAYA, July 12 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and police to take stern action on cyberbullies, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
The Unity Government spokesman said the prime minister was saddened that cyberbullying led to the death of a TikTok influencer recently.
“The Prime Minister said he is dissatisfied with the cyberbullying incidents and has asked the MCMC and police to take stern action.
“We need to strive to stop cyberbullying,” he told a post-Cabinet meeting media conference here today.
Fahmi said he has contacted TikTok and wants its representatives to take responsibility for the incident.
“They (TikTok) are ready to give better and closer cooperation to the Communications Ministry to overcome the problem and agreed to meet us next week,” he said, adding that the MCMC and police also agreed to simplify the process for complainants to lodge reports against cyberbullying.
Fahmi said to tackle cyberbullying on social media platforms, the ministry will review amendments to existing laws in the Penal Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, as well as several others.
He said the ministry will also study the need to create or enact a new law specifically for cyberbullying.
“Previously, a study was conducted on the issue of cyberbullying, but it was not continued by the previous government.
“I have received feedback from the Communications Ministry’s policy division that the report is there and we will review it and see if it is suitable to be brought to Parliament again or if improvements are needed,” he said.
Fahmi said the ministry will examine methods to reduce the presence of fake accounts, particularly those misused for cyberbullying.
“Many think that if they use fake accounts, they can say whatever they want to whoever they want without any repercussions or negative effects.
“What we ultimately see are the most extreme incidents, like what occurred recently,” he said, referring to the incident involving a TikTok influencer who allegedly took her own life following bullying online.
— Bernama
