Need to also address cyber bullying: Lee
Published on: Sunday, June 11, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) hopes the new proposed legislation to curb cyber crimes will also be able to tackle cyber harassment, including cyber bullying.Its senior Vice-Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said based on the CyberSecurity Malaysia statistics, there were 1,524 cyber bullying cases recorded in the past five years and most of them involved students."Although the number is low compared with more than five million students nationwide, I would like to stress that the statistics are based only on reported cases.
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"A survey made by DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd and Telenor Group last year revealed a shocking fact that one in four students admitted that they had experienced cyber bullying."I hope the new legislation will address all types of cyber crime, including cyber bullying, which is more serious than what have been reported," he said in a statement, here, Saturday.He said actions should be taken now since technology advancement and better Internet access have enabled the virtual world to be exploited by more people, including existing and potential criminals.Describing the Government's plan as timely, Lee said the new legislation would help safeguard the interests and wellbeing of the people since every complaint could be acted upon through legal means.
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Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Friday said the Bill would be tabled at the next sitting of Parliament after it had been scrutinised by the Attorney General's Chambers.Cyber crime, also called computer crime, involves the use of a computer as an instrument to further illegal ends, such as committing fraud, trafficking in child pornography and intellectual property, stealing identities or violating privacy.
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Zahid said it was important that the legislation be enforced strictly in combating all sorts of cyber crime, including the recruitment of terrorists and sourcing of funds for terrorism, money laundering and online gambling.Data from CyberSecurity Malaysia showed a total of 2,428 cyber crime incidences were reported between January and April this year."We have to remember that cyber crimes actually represent an extension of existing criminal behaviour but the perpetrators are now exploiting the advancement of the Internet and digital technology to commit crimes."Cyber crime attacks also do not take place on a physical body and in most cases, have non-local character where actions can occur under the jurisdictions of other countries.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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