‘Malaysians lack awareness about cyberbullying, victims must take proactive steps to protect themselves’ - Lawyers

SHAH ALAM - Many Malaysians remain unaware of cyberbullying as social media platforms increasingly normalise toxic behaviours like trolling and defamation.

Victims must take proactive steps to protect themselves and seek justice.

In recent years, Malaysia has shockingly emerged as a leading hotspot for cyberbullying, ranking second in Asia for such offenses among youth as of 2020, according to a Unicef report.

This troubling statistic highlighted a broader issue; a 2018 study by Comparitech found Malaysia among the top countries for cyberbullying globally.

Former Selangor Bar Chairman Kokila Vaani Vadiveloo stressed that many Malaysians still lack awareness about cyberbullying, and social media platforms like TikTok, X, Facebook, and Instagram have increasingly normalised toxic behaviours such as trolling, cursing, and defamation.

“To address this, both enforcers and the public must recognise the serious impact of online harassment and become familiar with the relevant laws.

"Governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should spearhead public awareness campaigns across various media platforms to educate about the legal consequences of online harassment.

"Educational institutions, including schools, universities, and colleges, should implement programmes and curricula that address digital citizenship and provide safe reporting mechanisms for cyberbullying.

"Families and communities also play a crucial role in promoting respectful online behavior.

"By combining these efforts, we can create a comprehensive approach to preventing online harassment and raising awareness about its legal implications,” she told Sinar Daily.

Kokila highlighted that victims of online harassment should take proactive measures to protect themselves and seek justice.

“It is essential to recognise that online harassment is illegal and that victims have the right to seek protection and legal recourse.

"Familiarising yourself with local laws and regulations regarding online harassment is crucial for understanding available legal options.

"Victims should meticulously document each instance of harassment by capturing full screenshots, noting IP addresses, and using WHOIS to track their locations.

This helps in evidence collection, as online content can be swiftly deleted, complicating evidence retrieval for law enforcement.

"It is also important to save offensive emails, messages, screenshots, and any other pertinent evidence, along with recording dates, times, and detailed descriptions of each incident.

"Once adequate evidence is gathered, victims should file a report with local law enforcement, providing all documented evidence and information about the harasser,” she added.

Kokila also pointed out that reporting the harassment to affected social media platforms, such as TikTok, X, Instagram, and Facebook, can be effective, as these platforms have internal policies and protocols for dealing with cyberbullying.

She claimed that taking these steps ensures that harassment is addressed and that justice is pursued.

Concurring with Kokila’s perspectives, lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan emphasised the complete lack of awareness on this issue and the absence of advocacy for it.

He stressed that the government must make efforts to educate the public, as it is crucial to prevent behaviour that threatens individuals' liberty.

“For individuals who have been victims of online harassment, it is crucial to understand their legal rights and options.

“First, they should lodge a police report if they feel attacked or bullied. If the statements made are defamatory, they should consider filing a civil suit for defamation in court.

“It is essential to document all cyberbullying incidents with clear evidence, which can be handed over to the police and used in any civil suit,” he added.

Recently, a cyberbullying case has shaken Malaysia. Rajeswary Appahu, an influencer known as Esha, tragically died by suicide on July 5, shortly after reporting threats and defamation on social media linked to severe cyberbullying by the accused.

It was reported that Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has met with Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil to discuss the urgent need for dedicated legislation to combat cyberbullying more effectively.

Fahmi confirmed that the Communications Ministry will review existing laws and consider drafting a new act specifically targeting cyberbullying to address this escalating issue.