One of the problems faced by bloggers is “internet trolls” i.e. a person who posts malicious, annoying, insulting or degrading message anonymously. For many years, this website has been subjected by assaults by internet trolls, for example, crazy woman iloveu .
And today, Malaysian blogosphere has taken another step in combating internet trolls. The latest news is that Cheese@Ringo has publicly revealed and humiliated an internet troll!! AAHHH I CAN TASTE THE SWEET REVENGE…mm
Unfortunately, the post has been amended and all references on the troll has been removed. The post was removed after the ‘troll’ publicly apologized. Boohoo.
Perhaps it may be useful to reveal that message posted by internet trolls may give rise to an offence under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Section 233 of the Act provides that:
233. Improper use of network facilities or network service, etc.
(1) A person who-
(a) by means of any network facilities or network service or applications service knowingly-
(ii) initiates the transmission of,
any comment, request, suggestion or other communication which is obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person; or
(b) initiates a communication using any applications service, whether continuously, repeatedly or otherwise, during which communication may or may not ensue, with or without disclosing his identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person at any number or electronic address,
commits an offence.
(2) ….
(3) A person who commits an offence under this section shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both and shall also be liable to a further fine of one thousand ringgit for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction.
This section of the act has been used before in Malaysia. Opposition party member, Tian Chua was investigated under this section after he posted certain images on his blog.
/me waits for the first Malaysian internet troll to be charged in Court.