Latest news with #JasmineWong
The Star
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Clearer path to justice for doxxing victims
PETALING JAYA: The inclusion of doxxing, defined as the act of distributing someone's personal information without their consent, into Malaysia's criminal code marks a turning point in protecting victims targeted for online notoriety, say experts. The amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code, aimed at addressing both physical and cyberbullying, came into effect yesterday. With this, doxxing is now officially classified as a serious crime punishable by up to three years' imprisonment. New provisions under Sections 507B to 507G have been introduced, providing for proportionate penalties for offences involving threats, insults or defamatory communication that cause emotional distress or fear. Association of Women Lawyers president Jasmine Wong welcomed the explicit criminalisation of doxxing under Section 507E, noting the significance of the law in tackling online abuse, especially against women and girls, who are disproportionately affected. 'Victims will finally have a clearer path to seek redress, but without strong enforcement, platform accountability and survivor-protection mechanisms, the impact may remain limited. 'We urge these laws to be implemented transparently and fairly with safeguards to prevent misuse. 'The criminalisation of doxxing is a positive development, but meaningful protection for women requires more than punishment; it requires a broader system of accountability, education and care,' she said. While applauding the overdue recognition of digital harm, Wong cautioned against the broad language in the amendments, which could be open to abuse if not carefully applied. 'There's a real risk these provisions could be misused to silence legitimate expression, dissent or criticism, particularly by those in power,' she warned. 'Sections 507B to 507E, though well-intentioned, use broad and subjective terms such as 'insulting' or 'distress', which risk being weaponised to suppress criticism or unpopular speech.' Wong also highlighted the lack of focus on restorative justice, survivor support and platform owner accountability. Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association president Siraj Jalil said the formal criminalisation of doxxing sends a clear message that such behaviour carries consequences and gives victims a legal path to seek justice. However, he said the government also has a responsibility to educate people on these laws and what constitutes bullying. Parent Action Group for Education chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said with the legal framework now in place, several steps can be taken effectively, including promoting digital citizenship programmes and establishing a support system for victims. 'The new law is not just a tool for punishment, but a foundation for a safer, more respectful digital environment. 'For students, it offers protection; for educators and institutions, it is a call to act with greater accountability. 'Moving forward, collaboration between educators, parents, students and legal authorities is key to making the Internet a safer space for all,' she said. The Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025 and the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act 2025 were passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 10, 2024, and in the Dewan Negara on Dec 16, 2024.
New Straits Times
08-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
'No mechanism for victims to remove revenge porn' - Lawyers' group
GEORGE TOWN: Existing laws aimed at protecting people, especially children, from sexual exploitation are insufficient to tackle the rise of revenge and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated pornography, said a lawyers' group. Jasmine Wong, president of the Association of Women Lawyers (AWL), said laws, such as the Sexual Offences Against Children Act and the Penal Code provisions that criminalise child sexual abuse material, focused on punishment after the fact. She said Malaysia lacked a mechanism for victims to swiftly demand the removal of harmful content, such as the United States' new "Take it Down" Act. Wong said Malaysia's Online Safety Bill 2024, passed last December and awaiting to be gazetted, expanded the government's regulatory powers over child sexual abuse material and cyberbullying. "However, it does not address the rapid spread of deepfake or AI-generated sexual abuse content, leaving a critical gap in protection. "The current laws are reactive and rely heavily on criminal prosecution, which is often slow and emotionally draining for survivors. "There is no legal right for minors or their guardians to request the immediate takedown of non-consensual explicit images, forcing survivors to endure prolonged trauma and public stigma," she told the New Straits Times. Earlier this year, a teenager in Johor was arrested for producing and selling deepfake sexual images of his female classmates. He is being investigated under Section 292 of the Penal Code for distributing obscene material and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for sharing offensive content. Wong said a central takedown platform, possibly under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), could improve coordination and response times. She added that social media companies should adopt the best practices in the US' "Take it Down" Act, which sets timelines for content removal or risk penalties under MCMC's licensing regime. "AI developers must build safeguards to detect and prevent the misuse of AI-generated content, and schools and educators play a vital role in addressing digital abuse promptly and educating students on safe online behaviour. "Digital literacy campaigns and parental guidance are essential to equip children with the skills and support needed to navigate the online world safely." AWL vice-president Denise Lim said the "Take it Down" Act has been hailed by advocates and victims' families as a powerful tool to protect dignity and privacy in the digital age. "Malaysia needs urgent legal reform that reflects the realities of digital sexual abuse, combining punitive measures with proactive protections for victims. "Effective enforcement, swift takedown procedures, and multi-sector collaboration are key to safeguarding young people in an increasingly online world," she said. Lim added that as digital sexual abuse evolved, so must laws meant to combat it.
