Malaysia's Parliament Passes Law Amendments: Cyberbullying Can Result in Up to 10 Years in Prison | WPN World People News

On December 10, Malaysia's Parliament passed amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code in a third reading, classifying "doxing" (publicly sharing private information) as a criminal offense. The amendments aim to combat the growing problem of cyberbullying, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison for the most severe cases.

The newly amended laws stipulate that if a person uses language or communication methods to threaten, insult, or defame others with the intention of provoking or causing harm, they will face up to one year in prison, a fine, or both. If bullying behavior leads to the victim's suicide or suicide attempt, the sentence could be up to 10 years. In cases where private information is shared online to harass or intimidate others, "doxing" could lead to up to three years in prison or a fine.

Malaysia's Minister of Law, Azalina Othman Said, emphasized that current laws are ineffective in regulating cyberbullying on social media platforms. The country needs regulations that address actions that can harm others even without explicit intent. She clarified that these amendments are not aimed at limiting free speech, but are designed to protect society, especially women and children, from the harms of online bullying.

According to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), between January and November 2024, there were 8,339 reported cases of cyberbullying, averaging 27 incidents per day.