‘We must accept this result’: Post-Olympics, Malaysia to look at plans to boost sporting performance, says Anwar

ALLEGED CYBERBULLYING OF MALAYSIAN ATHLETES

Separately, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil on Saturday said that he was aware of the grouses of some of the Malaysian Olympic athletes who feel like they had been cyberbullied by netizens.

Mr Fahmi warned that some of the comments may be considered as cyberbullying if it had negatively impacted on the Malaysian athletes’ mental health, though he did not give examples of them.

“I have not yet received the latest report, hence, I do not have the updated information (on athletes being cyberbullied).

“Nevertheless, I will look into the matter if athletes feel that their well-being is affected for example (due to such cases) as we sometimes see that the comments from netizens are rather harsh, regardless from fake accounts or not,” Mr Fahmi was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

Mr Fahmi added that there have been instances where the athletes were subjected to harsh comments online.

“(The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) does receive reports from time to time, but what’s important is to note that some cyberbullying perpetrators hide behind fake accounts. Actions by social media platforms have not been effective in curbing fake accounts …” Bernama reported him as saying.

Local media had previously reported that there were no specific laws to tackle cyberbullying in the country in the wake of the death of influencer Rajeswary Appahu who died by suicide after she was allegedly cyberbullied.

Malaysian authorities have since said that they are considering a proposal to amend the country’s Penal Code to introduce specific provisions for the offence of cyberbullying in the country.

In recent weeks, the Malaysian government has also taken a tougher stance against Big Tech and social media firms. It had announced that all social media and internet messaging platforms with at least eight million registered users in the country must apply for a class licence from 2025 or face penalties.

Mr Fahmi had previously told CNA that the new class licensing regime will add to Malaysia’s legislative firepower to ensure the internet is safer for children and families.