2024 a reflection: The Esha Clause

Reflecting back 2024, among the major stories raised on Harapan Daily was the cyber bully case of A Rajeswary, better known as Esha.

We revealed the some names of the cyber bully syndicate as well as the modus operandi of the perpetrators.

It was unique in terms of the brutality unleashed and it was specifically happening among the Indian community.

For the record, Esha is the third person who died due to cyberbully.

In that sense the introduction of the introduction of Section 507D(2) in the Penal Code is timely.

The section known as the ‘Esha Clause’ criminalises cyberbullying and harassment with a one-year prison sentence.

As we step in to 2025 there are many hopeful that the Esha Clause would be used as the cane for cyberbullies since cyberbullying did not stop with Esha.

Aside from that, the case has also led Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil to impose stringent social media licensing rules that would make the various social media platforms responsible for what is happening on their respective platforms, effective from January 1.