COMMUNICATIONS Minister Fahmi Fadzil said he is disappointed with the meagre RM100 fine imposed on the owner of a welfare home who was fined RM100 for cyberbullying a TikTok influencer who reportedly took her own life.

Fahmi said the minimal fine would not serve as a deterrent, considering that the crime had allegedly led to someone’s death.

“I have reviewed several comments, including those on TikTok by other influencers, who are not only upset with the fine but also with the offender’s apparent lack of remorse for their actions, which are believed to have caused another influencer’s death,” he told reporters at a press conference following his keynote address at the KL Startup Summit 2024.

“This is a very concerning attitude, and I am very disappointed with the fine, which seems very small.

“We must work hard to strengthen the laws. I have also reviewed how the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has taken action against those who post offensive comments violating the law on social media.”

Fahmi further said that the government will review existing legislation to ensure penalties commensurate with cybercrimes.

“As Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said mentioned, we need to review the definition of bullying and determine appropriate penalties,” he stressed.

Yesterday (July 16), Shalini Periasamy, 35, was charged at the magistrate’s court with an offence linked to the death of social media influencer A. Rajeswary, better known as Esha, who allegedly committed suicide earlier this month.

Shalini, who goes by the TikTok handle @alphaquinnsha, was fined the maximum RM100 for deliberately uttering vulgarities with the intention to stir anger and disturb the peace through a TikTok account this month.

Esha, a Hindu rights activist, was found dead at her residence in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, a day after filing a report about the criminal threats and defamation she had received. - July 17, 2024

https://focusmalaysia.my/rm100-fine-seems-very-small-disappointed-fahmi-says-over-fine-for-eshas-cyberbully/