How do new laws specifically tackle cyberbullying and doxing?

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New Laws Introduce Specific Penalties for Cyberbullying and Doxing

The Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025 and the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act 2025, effective from July, have introduced specific legal provisions to address cyberbullying and doxing. These amendments introduce Sections 507B to 507G, which criminalize acts of harassment, threats, bullying, insults, and identity misuse, carrying penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine, or both. Crucially, Sections 507E and 507F specifically target the unauthorized dissemination of personal information, commonly known as doxing, classifying it as a serious offense.
New Sections Target Harassment and Bullying

The newly enacted Sections 507B to 507G of the Penal Code directly address harassment, threats, bullying, insults, and the misuse of identity. These provisions are designed to provide a more precise legal framework for offenses that were previously covered by broader laws, which were found to be insufficient in specifically tackling bullying. The penalties prescribed for these offenses include imprisonment for a term of up to 10 years, a fine, or a combination of both, signifying a stricter approach to such misconduct.
Doxing Criminalized as a Serious Offense

Within the new legislative framework, Sections 507E and 507F have been introduced to specifically criminalize the act of doxing. This involves the unauthorized dissemination of personal information, which is now classified as a serious offense under the law. This dedicated focus on doxing acknowledges its significant potential to cause harm and distress to individuals, moving beyond general harassment provisions.
Addressing Inadequacies of Previous Legislation

Lawyer Muhammad Akram Abdul Aziz highlighted that prior legislation, such as Sections 351 and 352 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, were too broad and lacked specific provisions for bullying. He cited a case involving an influencer where the penalty was a mere RM100 fine under the Minor Offences Act 1955, demonstrating the inadequacy of previous measures to deter cyberbullying. The new amendments aim to rectify this by providing clear definitions and significant penalties for these specific online offenses.
Emphasis on Emotional and Mental Well-being

The introduction of these new sections is considered crucial for combating cyberbullying, which can have severe impacts on a person's emotional and mental well-being, even in the absence of physical violence. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has stated that the government is coordinating the implementation to ensure all parties understand that bullying is a serious crime. This underscores the legislative intent to protect individuals from the profound psychological harm that can result from online harassment and doxing.

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How do new laws specifically tackle cyberbullying and doxing?

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