42 charged for stalking since law enforced

A total of 42 individuals have been charged for stalking since the act was criminalised.

“Since section 507A has been enforced, 154 investigation papers were opened and probed. From this amount, 42 were charged and 89 more are still under investigation,” said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in a written reply to Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong).

Stalking was criminalised under section 507A of the Penal Code on March 29, 2023.

The section covers both physical and online stalking.

As for the ex-parte protection order (PO) that is provided for under section 98A of the Criminal Procedure Code, only one PO was issued.

A PO is effective until the investigation is completed or until a criminal proceeding ends.