Amendments to Penal Code Target Cyberbullying with ‘Esha Clause’

By Loshinniy Nair S. Baskaran,

11th December: Malaysia’s government has introduced the “Esha Clause” in the Penal Code amendments to address cyberbullying. Named after Rajeswary Appahu, also known as Esha, who tragically took her life due to online harassment, the clause seeks to prevent similar incidents.

Under Section 507D(2), offenders causing harm or provoking suicide through harassment face up to 10 years in jail, a fine, or both. The new Section 507E criminalizes publishing personal information to cause distress, with penalties including imprisonment for up to one year.The amendments also tackle the unauthorized sharing of explicit materials, commonly referred to as “revenge porn,” imposing severe penalties to protect victims’ dignity and privacy.

Additionally, Section 507F targets the dissemination of threatening content aimed at instilling fear or harm.These measures aim to create a safer digital environment, ensuring accountability for actions that harm individuals’ mental and emotional well-being. The bill passed through the Dewan Rakyat on December 10, 2024, via voice vote, signaling a significant step forward in combating online abuse, as stated in The Star