Nowadays, society today is easily delivered their opinions at their fingertips through social media platforms. Anything to say directly expressed without thinking about others’ feelings.
The issue is a hot topic in our social media today is about those who mock, belittle or insult a person in terms of physical appearance, or so-called body shaming.
Physical insults to others or body-shaming is not new in our society today. As a result, the offended individual may experience depression, stress, emotional distress, loss of self-confidence, and eventually lead to suicide.
Perhaps many do not know, body shaming activities or insulting the physical appearance of a person in any application service can be prosecuted under Section 233 (1) (b), Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).
Under this act, if a person commits body-shaming is found guilty, he can be fined not more than RM50,000 or imprisoned for not more than a year or both.
Under the same offense, the offender can also be punished under Section 509 of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum jail term of five years or a fine or both for words or gestures in question that dishonor a person.
Victims who suffer from body shaming can make a report and an investigation will be done on the offender.
Source: Royal Malaysia Police