bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

The Star

A Malaysian social media influencer and activist lodged a police report on Thursday expressing fears of being raped and killed before being found dead in her condominium.
Rajeswary Appahu, 30, a Hindu rights activist, had named two individuals in her report, lodged at the Dang Wangi police station in Kuala Lumpur, alleging they were tormenting her by trolling her on social media platform TikTok.
In her main report, sighted by The Star, Rajeswary claimed she was trolled and harassed in a live session with threats and vulgarity by an individual on TikTok.
Rajeswary, who is known as Esha on social media, said the person had used her photo and made several threats to “rape and kill” her as well as “injure” her.
“He said that he had a gang to back him up and also encouraged his followers to forward the live session [link] to me,” Rajeswary stated in the report.
Besides the alleged perpetrator’s sexual and lewd comments, she said many of those watching the session had also levelled abuse against her.
Rajeswary was one of the organisers of the mass recital of the Kanda Shasti hymn at the Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Selangor state last month.
Her distraught father P. Appahu, 62, who is a temple caretaker, said: “She was a very strong person. I can’t understand why this happened.’’
Meanwhile, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said he will meet with TikTok representatives next week to discuss the governance of the social media platform.
Other agencies such as the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) will also be in attendance, he said.
“Even though we have repeatedly reminded the public to be careful about the things they upload so that something like this would not happen, it seems like our assertions were not enough.
“In terms of the governance and management of social media platforms, I have already expressed my sadness and anger to them because we see that they are not cognisant of the seriousness of cyberbullying.
“That is among the reasons why we need to examine the management of social media platforms.
“Insha Allah (God willing), in a few days, I will call for a meeting between MCMC, TikTok, AGC and several others for us to discuss in detail based on complaints received,” Fahmi told reporters on Saturday.


The minister expressed his sorrow when he received the news about the activist and said the government is committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“But what we want is a systemic change because we are not sure how many people who may be suffering in silence due to cyberbullying,” Fahmi said.
According to the MCMC, he said, the activist did not lodge a report with the commission about this particular case of cyberbullying.
However, Fahmi said he is aware that she had lodged a report with the police.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said reports involving online attacks and abuse have increased of late.
“The government views these complaints very seriously.
“Steps are being taken to prevent them and to duly deal with such incidents when they occur,’’ Gobind added.
He said that the relevant ministers such as himself, Fahmi, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Law and Institutional Reform Minister Azalina Othman Said are putting in place measures as well as legislation to deal with online harm.
“I have spoken to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim about this.
“We will discuss it further with the Cabinet next week.
“Rest assured, urgent steps are being taken to deal with the problem,’’ Gobind said.
According to Gobind, the relevant bodies and authorities are focused on building a structure to protect people from online abuse or harm, with proper registration of social media accounts being one of the considerations taken into account.
He advised those being bullied on social media to not suffer in silence and to come forward and lodge the necessary complaints with the authorities.
Sentul Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Sukarno Mohd Zahari confirmed a police report was lodged by the victim related to threats she had received on social media.
“It is unfortunate that she has passed away.
“But without her statement, we are unable to take the matter further,” he said.
Ahmad Sukarno said the woman had also lodged similar police reports in the past.
He said there were also reports lodged against her and she was investigated for alleged abuse of network facilities under Section 233 of the MCMC Act recently.
Ahmad Sukarno said investigations on the death of the woman is being probed by Gombak police in Selangor.
If you have suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who is, help is available. For Hong Kong, dial +852 18111 for the government-run “Mental Health Support Hotline” or +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans and +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services. In the US, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For a list of other nations’ helplines, see this page.
This story was first published by The Star


Malaysia eyes Southeast Asia’s EV hub crown after Hyundai US$500 million investment

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim denies conflict of interest in corporate sponsor row

39 foreigners escape Myanmar online scam centre, cross into Thailand amid trafficking concerns

Malaysian court orders return of Swatch LGBTQ-themed watches

Malaysia

Malaysian TikTokker who faced rape threats found dead in condominium

A Malaysian TikTokker was found dead in her home after she became the target of vicious personal attacks from trolls. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

Malaysia shuts 2 sites over illegal waste as raid linked to Chinese gangs widens

Royal Malaysian Police raiding illegal waste processing factories in Kedah state. Photo: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability

Malaysian Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad inspecting an illegal waste factory in Kedah. Photo: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability

Millions of Malaysians dip into retirement savings to make ends meet

Malaysian ringgit banknotes. Nearly 3 million people collectively withdrew about 7 billion ringgit from Malaysia’s Employees’ Provident Fund last month. Photo: Shutterstock

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration restructured the EPF following public pressure for more direct access to retirement savings. Photo: Bloomberg

A view of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia’s monthly minimum wage is set at 1,500 ringgit (US$318). Photo: Bloomberg

A protester wears a headband reading “#PeopleAgainstAnwar” in Malay outside the Malaysian prime minister’s official residence in Putrajaya during a protest against his administration on June 29. Photo: EPA-EFE

An employee assists a customer inside the Apple store in Kuala Lumpur during its opening last month. Some see the EPF flexible account as a “treat yourself” fund. Photo: Bloomberg

Malaysia sees HIV uptick in young people. Are social stigma, poor education to blame?

Malaysia’s Petronas Twin Towers. Sex education remains taboo in Malaysian schools despite repeated calls to expand the topic beyond basic biology. Photo: Bloomberg

A woman walks past a mural depicting a healthcare worker at a government clinic in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: EPA-EFE

News

Asia

Southeast Asia

A minister will meet with TikTok representatives to discuss the governance of the platform following the cyberbullying death of Rajeswary Appahu


A minister will meet with TikTok representatives to discuss the governance of the platform following the cyberbullying death of Rajeswary Appahu.


Doxxing and cyberbullying

TikTok

Social media