WITH a 2018 study placing Malaysia on the unenviable sixth place on the list of 28 countries and second in Asia for cyberbullying, it is indeed important that we do more to protect the victims, “NGOs: Treat cyberbullying seriously” (The Star, Aug 21). Under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, cyberbullying includes making derogatory, obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive content and comments to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person, thereby causing grave emotional and physical consequences to the hapless victim. However, cyber harassment mostly goes unreported as many victims tend to just put up with the derogatory comments to avoid lengthy legal processes to seek redress. It would be recommended for anyone who has been harassed online to at least report the incident to the police and also inform the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. Otherwise, the perpetrators would be encouraged to think that their actions are acceptable.

Source: The Star August 21, 2020 21:33 UTC