Recently, our nation mourned the tragic death of a Malaysian TikToker who took her life due to cyberbullying.
The 30-year-old victim, Rajeswary Appahu, also known as Esha, was discovered dead in her apartment just a day after filing a police report against her cyberbullies.
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To help you catch up on the events that have unfolded so far, here’s a chronology of the case:
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July 4
- According to The Star, Esha, a social media influencer and activist, filed a police report citing fears of being raped and killed.
- She named two individuals in her report lodged at the Dang Wangi police station, alleging they were tormenting her by trolling her on TikTok.
- Esha claimed she was trolled and harassed in a live session with threats and vulgarity by an individual on TikTok.
- She said the person used her photo and made several threats to “rape and kill” her as well as “injure” her.
- “He said that he had a gang to back him up and also encouraged his followers to forward the live session (link) to me,” she wrote in the report.
- Besides the alleged perpetrator’s sexual and lewd comments, she said many of those watching the session had also levelled abuse against her.
July 5
- Esha’s body was discovered in her apartment just one day after filing the police report.
- David Marshel, Deputy Chairman of Interim URIMAI, revealed that a week prior, Esha had reached out to him, detailing the severe cyberbullying she endured, along with her deep despair and suicidal thoughts.
- He described spending 45 minutes counseling her, suggesting she take a break from TikTok until tensions eased.
- Esha also assured him that she would not contemplate suicide.
July 6
- Sentul police chief Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Sukarno Mohd Zahari said a 39-year-old man filed a complaint about threats directed towards Esha.
- The complainant discovered two TikTok posts from users named ‘Dulal Brothers’ and ‘Alphaquinnsha’, which reportedly defamed and threatened Esha.
- Both accounts allegedly featured her photos as backgrounds in their videos.
July 7
- Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who attended Esha’s funeral, announced plans to meet with TikTok representatives the following week to discuss platform governance.
- The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) will also participate in the meeting.
Luluh hati seorang ibu melihat jasad anaknya tak bernyawa.
— Fahmi Fadzil 🇲🇾 (@fahmi_fadzil) July 7, 2024
Rajeswary Appahu, 29 tahun, telah mengambil nyawanya sendiri selepas dipercayai tertekan akibat dibuli beberapa individu dengan komen-komen jelik di TikTok.
Saya amat kecewa dan marah dengan apa yang berlaku.
Mereka… pic.twitter.com/GWbI3AwjoP
July 8
- A 35-year-old woman was arrested to aid in the investigation of a cyberbullying case linked to Esha’s suicide.
- Sentul police chief Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Sukarno Mohd Zahari stated that the suspect has been detained until July 10 for investigation.
- The case is now being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955.
July 9
- Police have since recorded statements from nine individuals in relation to Esha’s cyberbullying and suicide.
- The police are also actively searching for another social media account holder linked to the incident.
- Two journalists were also found to have fallen victim to the same cyberbully associated with Esha’s tragic death.
- Fahmi Fadzil later disclosed that the journalists contacted him after Esha’s suicide, reporting the cyberbully’s use of a fake account.
- The journalists expressed fear as the cyberbully had even taken photos of their homes and family members, which Fahmi described as a “criminal threat perpetrated through fake identities.”
- He also emphasised the malicious intent behind such fake accounts and called for action to address this issue.
Know of anyone who needs a listening ear? Please give the following helplines a call:
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