Activist claims police, MCMC reports against cyberbullies leaked online

An office bearer of the Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) has claimed that her police and MCMC reports against alleged cyberbullies have been “leaked”, causing her and her family’s personal details to be circulated online.

GHRF vice-secretary S Hema, who is also known as Swashna, told Malaysiakini that she was made aware of the matter earlier this morning. 

“An account on TikTok, (whose administrator) disguised his voice, read out reports I had previously filed with the police, as well as a complaint I filed with the MCMC just last night on cyberbullying.

“(The reports contained information on) my MyKad details, my daughter’s MyKad details, my husband’s name, and even my old hometown address,” she said.

Noting that she has informed police authorities tasked with her case about the alleged leak, Hema said she is currently “putting all (her) hopes” on authorities as the incident has left her and her family distraught.

‘No report on leak’

When contacted, a representative for Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus said Hema has yet to file a police report on the unauthorised disclosure of her personal details.

“The Cheras Criminal Investigation Division chief met with the complainant on Oct 1, and no complaints (on the alleged leak) were lodged. 

“The complainant understands that the case is still under investigation,” they added. 

Previously, it was reported that Hema is considering initiating legal action against several social media users whom she accused of defaming and harassing her family over the death of TikTok influencer Rajeswary Appahu, better known as Esha, last year.

Hema, who was an acquaintance of Esha, claimed that despite cooperating with the authorities on Esha’s case, certain individuals have used social media to intimidate her and make false allegations against her.

Despite filing reports with the police and MCMC, Hema lamented that there has been no action against the perpetrators, whom she said have spread lies about her online as well as issued vulgar remarks which caused emotional distress to her and her family members.

In an initial police report filed in September last year, Hema claimed that hosts for a TikTok live session had called her a “prostitute”, told her to remove her clothing to display her body online and asked her to touch his private areas, while also accusing her of cheating on her husband.

Another TikTok account owner had also called Hema “homeless” while expressing her intent to slap Hema and her mother. 

Two charged and sentenced

Esha was found dead in her Setapak on July 5 last year, just one month after filing a police report regarding criminal threats and defamation on social media against her.

Two individuals - B Sathiskumar and Shalini Periasamy - faced separate court charges last year in relation to cyberbullying, which led to Esha’s death.  

Welfare home owner Shalini, 35, was fined RM100 after pleading guilty to a charge under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 for uttering offensive words at Esha and the influencer’s mother, R Puspa.

Lorry driver Sathishkumar, 44, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to two charges. One charge, framed under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, accused Sathiskumar of making obscene comments against Esha using a TikTok account. 

The second charge, made under Section 509 of the Penal Code for intentionally insulting the modesty of a person, accused him of insulting Puspa.

In July this year, the new amendments to the Penal Code (Sections 507B to 507G) took effect, which criminalised various forms of bullying - including cyberbullying and doxxing.

Saifuddin backs cops, pans 'irresponsible parties' for ruckus at rally

Smugglers shift to Bangladesh for smuggling wildlife into KLIA

Coroner's Court opens inquest into doctor's 2023 death

PSM: Hunter's arrest raises alarm over Asean clampdown on dissent

COMMENT | How M'sia can navigate AI crime risks

NGO leader mulls legal action against cyberbullies