10-7-2024 (KUALA LUMUR) The alleged suicide of a social media influencer following online harassment has sparked outrage in Malaysia, prompting authorities to arrest a woman and vowing to tackle the pervasive issue of cyberbullying in the country.
The case of Rajeswary Appahu, a 30-year-old who went by the name ‘Esha’ on social media and was known for her positivity and beauty content, has shone a spotlight on the dark side of social media and the devastating consequences of cyberbullying.
Rajeswary was found dead in her home on July 5th, a day after she had lodged a police report expressing fears of being raped and killed. According to local media reports, she had named two individuals in her complaint, alleging that they were tormenting her by trolling her on TikTok, using threats and vulgarity during a live session.
The gravity of the situation prompted Malaysian Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil to announce that the issue of cyberbullying on social media platforms will be presented to the Cabinet on Friday (July 12), emphasizing that such a negative “culture” should not take root in the country.
Authorities have taken swift action, with a 35-year-old woman arrested on Monday in connection with the case. The woman, who was apprehended at the Bukit Beruntung Golf Resort in Rawal, will be held in remand until July 10 to assist in investigations.
The case is being probed under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, underscoring the severity of the allegations.
Speaking to reporters after visiting Rajeswary’s funeral on Sunday, Minister Fadzil expressed his anger and frustration over the incident, stating, “I am angry and upset. We will leave it to the police to investigate. Cyberbullying should not become a culture…”
He highlighted one of the main challenges in dealing with cyberbullying: the perpetrators often hide behind fake accounts, making it difficult to identify the individuals responsible for the abuse or scams.
The upcoming Cabinet meeting on July 12 will address the issue of cyberbullying on social media platforms, with Minister Fadzil emphasizing the need not only to report incidents but also to take action, including amending existing laws if necessary.
The case has also garnered attention from lawmakers, with Segamat Member of Parliament R Yuneswaran calling for stern legal action against those responsible for the cyberbullying that led to Rajeswary’s death.
“The Communications and Digital Ministries, as well as relevant authorities, should set a firm precedent by punishing those responsible for bullying Esha. The perpetrators of this heinous act must be held accountable,” Yuneswaran stated.
Highlighting the pervasiveness of the issue, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) recorded 3,199 complaints related to cyberbullying in 2023, with Facebook being the primary platform for such incidents, followed by WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.
Moreover, a 2022 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report found that Malaysia ranked second in Asia for cyberbullying among youths in 2020.
