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Saifuddin: Harsher charges must be applied to cyberbullies

KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said cabinet ministers have met to discuss the recent cyberbullying case and examine the current laws involving such crimes.

The issue is expected to be brought up in the Cabinet meeting tomorrow, with an announcement made on the matter soon.

Nasution said a meeting with Minister at the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo was held yesterday

He reiterated the government's commitment against cyberbullying.

"We are examining a specific legal provision, and we also discussed the court decision that only imposed a RM100 fine under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act.

On Tuesday, Magistrate M. S. Arunjothy sentenced welfare home owner, Shalini Periasamy, 35, with a fine of RM100 for uttering vulgarities with the intention to stir anger or disturb peace.

She was charged under Section 14 if the Minor Offenses Act for deliberately uttering vulgarities with the intention to stir anger and disturb the peace through a Tik Tok account.

Nasution said law enforcement must consider applying harsher laws against those who commit cyberbullying, rather than opt for lesser charges.

"If they walk out of court smiling, slapped with only a RM100 fine, that must break the victim's family's heart", he said after a visit to the Seri Kelantan flats today.

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