RM100 fine in Esha cyberbullying case not a deterrent, says Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR: Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has voiced his disappointment with the RM100 fine imposed on a woman in the cyberbullying case of late Hindu rights activist and influencer A. Rajeswary, or Esha.

Welfare home owner Shalini Periasamy was fined on Tuesday (July 16) after pleading guilty in a Magistrate's Court here to insulting behaviour intending to incite anger and disturb the peace.

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Quoted in various media reports on Wednesday (July 17), Fahmi said that although he was dismayed by the fine's amount, he understood that the penalty was based on evidence gathered by the Attorney General's Chambers.

"We need to review the definition of cyberbullying and set the appropriate penalties for it," he told reporters after delivering the keynote address at the KL Startup Summit 2024 here.

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He noted that the fine would not be much of a deterrent, given that the offence had led to a person's death.

Rajeswary, 30, was found dead in a condominium unit in Setapak on July 5, a day after lodging a police report at the Dang Wangi police station here over threats made against her.

More to come