JOHOR BARU: A youth group has called for social media platform providers to bear shared responsibility for maintaining safe online spaces, amid rising incidents of cyberbullying.
These cases commonly involve harassment, blackmail and the spread of personal information without consent, said Johor Youth Council president Mohammad Alif A. Rahim.
“Given Malaysia’s high number of active social media users, there is an urgency to tackle this issue through focused legislation,” he added.
Mohammad Alif also called for rapid enforcement of cyberbullying laws, stressing that responses should be as immediate as the offences themselves to discourage online harassment effectively.
The government, he said, should introduce specific guidelines for investigation and prosecution to ensure that victims receive timely justice.
Additionally, he called for the upcoming Online Safety Bill to not only remove harmful content but also address individuals who fuel cyberbullying by spreading speculation and hatred, which can contribute to public unrest.
Mohammad Alif noted the need for detailed cyberbullying laws that specify types of offences and ensure proportional punishments, along with clear guidelines for the authorities handling such cases.
“It’s essential to protect (the victims’) mental and emotional health, and to create a safe digital environment.
“While the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 provides a framework, it lacks specific provisions on cyberbullying, and the general penalties do not reflect the impact felt by victims and their families,” he said.
Mohammad Alif expressed hope that the Bill would address these gaps, especially to protect children and youth from cyberbullying.
He also called on the Education Ministry to play an active role by implementing cyberbullying awareness programmes in schools.
On Oct 18, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government had allocated RM30mil in Budget 2025 to bolster efforts to curb scams and enhance cybersecurity in Malaysia, adding that cyber threats are increasingly threatening social order.
On Oct 26, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the Bill is aimed at fixing loopholes or gaps in the legal system as there is no precise definition for the crime of bullying.
On Nov 9, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said shared the Bill scheduled for tabling next month, saying that it will also ensure that parents play a more proactive role in protecting their children from cybercrimes.
