ENFORCEMENT OF AMENDMENTS TO PENAL CODE AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE ON ANTI-BULLYING MEASURES

Effective 11 July 2025, the Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025 and Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act 2025 have officially come into force. These amendments, passed in the Dewan Rakyat on 10 December 2024 and in the Dewan Negara on 16 December 2024, aim to address physical and cyber bullying, in line with the government’s efforts to modernise the criminal justice system. 

The key highlights are:

• Introduction of new provisions (Sections 507B to 507G) which specifically provide for proportionate punishment for offences of threatening, insulting or defamatory communications intended to cause emotional distress or fear to the victim.

• Recognition of doxing (unauthorised sharing of personal information) as a serious offence, punishable by up to three years' imprisonment.

• Strengthening of legal procedures to ensure faster and stricter enforcement against bullying-related offences.

• Commitment to balance robust enforcement with the constitutional right to freedom of expression.

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