An emergence for reformation of cyber bully’s law in Malaysia

Abstract

The development and sophistication of technology does not guarantee a person's manners in conversations through social media. According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) report released in 2020, Malaysia ranked second after India in cases of cyber bullying. According to this report, three out of ten Malaysian teenagers have been victims of cyber bullying. The application of relevant laws in the prosecution of cyberbullies is being debated. A lot of articles discussing this issue in term of criminal perspective as well as suggestion made by the NGO and government. Therefore, this study aims to identify the provisions of laws dealing with the issue of cyber bullying in Malaysia since the issue being debated in 2020. This study uses a qualitative approach through library research. The data is collected through document analysis inductively by reviewing court cases, journals, books, conference papers, newspapers and statutes such as the Penal Code, the Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998 and the Minor Offenses Act 1955. The results of the study found that there is no specific statute in order to prosecute the accused person who involve in cyberbullying cases, however the cabinet have approved the amendment to the Penal Code by inserting specific provision for the liability of cyberbully.