PUTRAJAYA, Oct 25 — The Online Safety Bill is a move to fix the gap, or “lacuna”, in the law as there is no precise definition for bullying crimes, including cyberbullying, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
“This bill will be brought to Parliament to ensure … our internet is safe for children and families.
“... And we will be able to take stern action against cyberbullies, as a government study indicates there is currently no precise definition for bullying crimes, including cyberbullying,” he told a post-Cabinet meeting press conference here today.
Fahmi, who is also Unity Government spokesman, said the bill will be tabled in Parliament for first reading during this current session and is set to be tabled for second reading in early December.
Previously, the minister announced that one of the reasons the government tabled the Online Safety Bill is to see online safety issues addressed more comprehensively, particularly involving four main criminal activities that are rapidly moving to social media, namely, scams, gambling, cyberbullying and sexual crimes against children.
He said Cabinet members have agreed in principle to the proposed amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code on cyberbullying, and that the relevant bills would be tabled this Parliament session.
— Bernama
