Esha's mum backs Fahmi's decision to take social media platforms to task over toxic content

PETALING JAYA: The mother of deceased social media influencer Rajeswary Appahu, better known as Esha, has backed a call by Fahmi Fadzil for stern action to be taken against social media platforms over disparaging content posted by its users.

Puspa Rajagopal, 56, said she supported the Communications Minister's statement as she did not want others to suffer the same fate as her daughter.

Puspa said she was exasperated when she watched Shalini Periasamy - who was one of the two individuals who were charged for posting online content linked to Rajeswary's death, nonchalantly stepping out of a courtroom, appearing unregretful over her actions.

On Sunday (July 21), Fahmi said his ministry would take action against social media platforms over disparaging online content.

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He also urged the Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission to carry out necessary action to counter social media issues faced by the public online.

Esha 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 over threats made against her.

Apart from Shalini, 35, Esha's other alleged cyberbully, lorry driver, B. Sathiskumar, 44, was also charged.

Shalini, the owner of a private psychiatric care nursing home, was fined a mere RM100 in default seven days’ imprisonment for deliberately uttering vulgarities with the intention to incite anger and disturb peace through her TikTok account.

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Sathiskumar was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 and faces a fine of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to one year or both, with an additional fine of RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction.

He also faces a second charge of posting lewd comments with the intention to outrage the modesty of Puspa on the same day.

The offence is framed under Section 509 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to five years, a fine or both, upon conviction.

He pleaded guilty to the first charge but claimed trial to the second charge.