KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 — The women’s wing of MCA has urged authorities today to draft laws against cyber-bullying and online harassments, following several major cases of bullying that lead to deaths and injuries.
The wing’s chair Datuk Heng Seai Kie also chastised authorities who not only stood by when bullying happens, but resorted to blaming victims instead and cajoling victims or the parents to retract their reports.
“Likewise, Wanita MCA also implores on the authorities be it the Malaysian Communications And Multimedia Commission, Attorney General Chambers or Women’s Ministry to draft legislations against cyber-bullying and harassment as there are reports from overseas of victims who were driven to suicide in such cases,” Heng said in a statement.
Heng also reminded the public to equate “being a man” with bullying, and to review their notions of being effeminate.
“Society has to cease having stereotyped notions that being a ‘man’ equals to becoming a thug who bullies, and that soft-spoken, slender, pint size, polite males are deemed effeminate,” she said.
“The authorities or persons in positions of trust and power must not take the easy way out by levying blame on the victim as to why one has been deliberately taunted, harassed physically or in cybersphere, and beaten to a pulp or left for dead by bullies,” she added.
The wing also supported the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry’ nationwide roadshows and campaign after the Aidilfitri celebration, aimed at curbing bullying in schools.
Its minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said yesterday the ministry would also incorporate the campaign against bullying into the awareness campaigns on the Child Act (Amendment) 2016 and sexual crimes.
