Gov’t looking to ‘tweak’ CMA in wake of teen’s social media-linked death

The government is looking at ways to amend the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 to better tackle cases of suicide abetted by cyberbullying, and cybersuicide, following the recent death of a teenager in Sarawak.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said he has instructed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to first work with police to establish the facts of the case.

It was reported that the 16-year-old from Padawan was found dead last Monday, believed due to a fall from several floors, hours after posting an online poll on social media seeking a choice between life and death.

Up to 69 percent respondents had opted for ‘D’ for death while only 31 percent chose ‘L’ or life.

“I feel we have to be very, very careful when it comes to matters like this. I think it’s a serious matter where social media is being used in a manner which can endanger the lives of certain people.

“Having said that, I think at the same time, we also want to look at how the CMA Act could perhaps be tweaked to deal with problems like this,” the minister was quoted saying by The Malay Mail.

Padawan police had classified the case as sudden death.

The case prompted Bukit Gelugor lawmaker Ramkarpal Singh to question the role of netizens who participated in the poll in the lead up to the death.

He said the matter should not be treated as an isolated case and called for a thorough investigation.

In a letter, the DAP national legal bureau chief added that abetting a suicide could be considered an offence in Malaysia.

“Although it is still too early to determine what exactly happened, it is possible that the girl was suffering from depression and contemplated suicide as a result,” he had said.

“Would she have heeded the advice of netizens to seek professional help had they done so?

“Did the encouragement of those netizens actually influence her decision to take her own life?” he said.

Those seeking help can contact the Befrienders helpline at 03-79568145, or email sam@befrienders.org.my. - Mkini