Photo via The Capital Post
As everyone should know, body shaming is a form of bullying, and it’s not cool!
But what you probably don’t know is that body shaming is actually a crime here in Malaysia, and you could go to jail for it.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said yesterday (September 20th) that any form of body shaming is punishable by law.
He told Sinar Harian that authorities can act under the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998, the Penal Code and the Minor Offences Act 1955.
Under the CMA, you could be fined up to RM50,000 or face a year in jail or both.
“Meanwhile, offences under Section 509 of the Penal Code can be punished with up to five years in jail. For offences under the Minor Offences Act, a person who is charged can be fined not more than RM100,” said Hamid.
According to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), victims of body shaming online should first lodge a police report before referring the matter to the commission.
After the issue is verified by the cops, only then will MCMC inform Google and other relevant parties on the police report before blocking any accounts.
Some things really are better left unsaid!
by Kyle Roshen Jacob
