Bullies Face Up To 10 Years Jail As Amendments Come Into Force

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 Driving someone to suicide is now punishable with up to 10 years' jail, and release of personal information, or 'doxxing', is made a crime punishable with up to three years' jail.
Six new offences were created under the Penal Code to deal with harassment through the use of threatening, abusive or insulting words or acts. (File pic)PETALING JAYA: Penalties ranging from one to 10 years’ jail await bullies for using threatening or insulting words or acts to harass another person. The penalties are provided in amendments to the law which came into force today
The amendments create six new offences of causing harassment, distress, fear or alarm in a person through threatening, abusive or insulting words or acts, and for unauthorised release of personal information (an internet practice known as “doxxing”).
The highest penalty of up to 10 years’ jail, or a fine, or both, is for those who intentionally provoke someone to harm himself, resulting in the person attempting suicide or committing suicide.
Making someone believe they or someone they care about will be harmed, as well as provoking them to harm themselves, is now a criminal offence and is punishable by a jail term of up to a year, or a fine, or both.
Using or making threatening, abusive or insulting words or acts to cause harassment, distress, fear or alarm in another person is punishable with up to three years’ jail, or a fine, or both.
Releasing personal information about a person with intent to cause harassment, distress, fear or alarm, is punishable with a jail term of up to three years, or a fine, or both.
The legal affairs division of the Prime Minister’s Department said in a statement today that the amendments allow stricter legal action against offending bullies, in line with the government’s commitment to protect society, especially vulnerable groups such as children, youth and people suffering mental distress.
The legal affairs division of the Prime Minister’s Department said in a statement today that the amendments to the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code allow stricter legal action against bullies, in line with the government’s commitment to protect society, especially the vulnerable, such as children, youth and people suffering from mental distress.
“The amendments also cover offences related to the unauthorised dissemination of personal information, or ‘doxxing’, which is now classified as a serious crime,” the statement read.
It said the amendments stemmed from a review of the shortcomings in existing laws, which were found to be insufficient to deal with psychological and emotional threats in the digital environment.
“The government will also continue to ensure that the enforcement of this law is implemented fairly and equitably without affecting the right to freedom of expression,” the statement read. - FMT

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