Cyberbullying: Proposal for new law will be tabled to cabinet tomorrow

The Communications Ministry is scheduled to table the proposal of a new act or amend existing laws to address cyberbullying at the cabinet meeting tomorrow.

Minister Fahmi Fadzil said it is part of the ministry’s effort to make social media platforms safer for users.

“We will inform the cabinet meeting tomorrow about the actions that can be taken now, either by enacting a new act or amending the existing laws.

“The Parliament session will run for about another week, so we have time if the cabinet feels there is a need (to present a bill) for us to act immediately,” he said in a special session with the media at the Parliament Building today.

The issue of cyberbullying surfaced after the alleged suicide of a media influencer in Gombak Setia, Selangor, recently.

According to Fahmi, the proposal is among the outcomes of his meeting with the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said, Deputy Digital Minister Wilson Ugak Kumbong and representatives from the Home Ministry and the Attorney General's Chambers, yesterday.

Fahmi said that in terms of management, it is important to determine whether an action is defined as cyberbullying and what preventive measures can be taken.

“Ministers, MPs and politicians are often seen as being cyberbullied, but they don't complain, some also feel that cyberbullying is a trivial matter, but I think we have to draw the line. So the legal interpretation will also be given attention,” he added.

Streamlining process

The administrative aspects between the investigating officers of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the police also need to be coordinated, including complaints of cyberbullying, he said.

Citing the influencer’s case, Fahmi said the victim had reportedly lodged separate reports to the police and the MCMC.

Fahmi reiterated that his ministry will soon launch an online safety roadshow to enhance awareness among schools and communities about the adverse effects of the internet.

The programme aims to highlight the dangers of internet use, such as cyberbullying, scams and cybersecurity threats, while educating on methods to protect personal data and the benefits of online platforms.

- Bernama

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