Cops need more specific laws to target cyberbullying, says IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman needs a more specific law to effectively curb cyberbullying, says Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.

The Inspector-General of Police said for now the police had to rely on different laws to deal with aspects of cyberbullying.

"For cyberbullying, if it involves extortion and threats, we will investigate under the Penal Code while for uttering insults and crude words, it will be investigated under the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) 1998," he said when contacted on Saturday (July 13).

The IGP said he has met with Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil to discuss the need for a specific law on cyberbullying.

"Both the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) were also present to discussed the matter.

"We really hope for a more specific law to deal with cyberbullying," he said.

It was reported that Fahmi, who is the government spokesman said that the Prime Minister wants the authorities to come down hard on cyberbullies.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has also directed the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to do more to stop cyberbullying, which had recently grabbed headlines again after the death of an influencer and activist who was harassed online.

Fahmi said he updated the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on the issue yesterday, where other ministers also shared their concerns including the need for more action.