RM100 is not enough to penalise cyberbullying, says Home Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Harsher legal actions are needed for cyberbullying, said Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

“Harsher legal actions are needed to convey the government’s serious stance on cyberbullying,” he said.

Saifuddin added that legislators must look beyond the Minor Offences Act and consider stricter laws.

“Lenient penalties send the wrong message to the public and hurt the victims’ families.

“We will announce further steps soon in tomorrow’s (Friday’s) Cabinet discussion,” he said.

Saifuddin said that he recently met with Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. to discuss the matter.

A mere RM100 penalty was imposed on private nursing home owner Shalini Periasamy who committed communication offences linked to the death of Hindu rights activist Esha.

This was after she pleaded guilty in a Magistrate’s Court for deliberately uttering vulgarities with the intention to incite anger and disturb the peace through her TikTok account, an offence under the Minor Offences Act.