29/09/2025

First page Previous page 10 Next page Last page

MONDAY | SEPT 29, 2025

COMMENT by Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid

Cyber vigilantism a threat to justice T HE recent spate of bullying cases in Malaysia has triggered widespread anger, frustration and mistrust. What could have been

Adding to this, comments on platforms like TikTok and other social media can quickly spiral beyond the issue at hand into debates over politics, culture or religion. While these topics are important in their own right, their intrusion into specific cases can be counterproductive. Fear-mongering becomes central in this process, where exaggerated claims, speculative narratives and unsolicited personal beliefs overpower reasoned discussion. What results is a form of digital moral panic in which outrage and assumption circulate more rapidly than facts. Experts, courts, the criminal justice system and even witnesses may find their credibility twisted or attacked, not because of what they establish through evidence, but because collective anxieties dictate a different “truth”. A further worrying trend is the way some netizens respond when expert opinions or official findings do not align with their personal beliefs. Instead of engaging rationally, they often resort to hostility-questioning, belittling and rejecting the views of experts. This reaction is not grounded in fact but in emotion and presumption. It reflects a deeper epistemic distrust, where personal outrage is elevated above fact and expertise is treated with suspicion simply because it does not conform to what people want to believe. Such behaviour undermines reasoned debate, erodes respect for knowledge and exposes society to cycles of misinformation, polarisation and mob rule. Criminological scholarship reminds us that moral panics often lead to reactive policies, harsher punishments and social stigmatisation rather than constructive solutions. When trust in institutions is tested, some may feel compelled to “take matters into their own hands”. Yet, this approach rarely solves the problem. Instead, it perpetuates cycles of fear, exclusion and violence.

an opportunity to examine the systemic roots of bullying has instead escalated into a moral panic where public outrage has been fuelled by fear, amplified by media narratives and channelled into hostility. This heightened emotion has manifested in calls for vigilante justice and a wholesale dismissal of expert opinion, deepening the erosion of institutional legitimacy. The situation is complex and does not rest on the shoulders of any single actor. Like many societies, Malaysia faces ongoing challenges in ensuring that responses to crime are perceived as fair, transparent and consistent. Public frustration can grow when communication gaps emerge or when formal processes appear slow to deliver answers. Media dynamics, both mainstream and digital, can further intensify these sentiments, sometimes resulting in “trial by media”, where accusations can spread rapidly before facts are fully established. In such an environment, perception often outweighs evidence. This climate makes vigilante justice particularly concerning. It reflects anxiety over whether justice will be served, replacing due process with mob rule and risking arbitrary punishment, escalating violence and miscarriages of justice. Online, this manifests as cyber vigilantism – when individuals or groups use digital platforms to identify, shame and punish perceived wrongdoers outside the boundaries of legal authority. It often appears as hostile comments, digital shaming, doxxing or coordinated harassment campaigns. Such actions will not only harm reputations and mental health but also create a culture of fear and suspicion where anyone can be condemned by collective anger rather than verified fact.

“When trust in institutions is tested, some may feel compelled to ‘take matters into their own hands’. Yet, this approach rarely solves the problem. Instead, it perpetuates cycles of fear, exclusion and violence.

Cyber vigilantism refers to the act of individuals or groups using digital platforms to identify, shame and punish perceived wrongdoers outside the boundaries of legal authority. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

cyber vigilantism, we reduce ourselves to a reactionary and irrational crowd: loud, emotional and ultimately misguided. Cyber vigilantism is not justice but a dangerous, counterproductive practice – corrosive in nature and incapable of producing real solutions. A better path lies in patience, empathy and collective commitment to fairness because only then can we build a society that is safer, wiser and more just for everyone. Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid is a criminologist and senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Universiti Malaya. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

The path forward lies in reinforcing accountability and trust. Authorities can continue to strengthen transparent communication and consistent processes, thereby reassuring the public that justice will be served. Experts, too, must engage with empathy, bridging the gap between technical knowledge and public concerns. And society at large must resist the temptations of mob justice, whether on the streets or online, recognising that anger cannot act as a substitute for justice and that sustainable peace requires trust in lawful, evidence based processes. If we continue down the path of

Education matters remain an important component of Malaysian society. Today the landscape is fast paced with new exciting developments in technology such as AI, coding, virtual reality, and cybersecurity, leading the way for changes in curriculum development. To showcase the latest and most updated content, we invite you join us in 2025, and be part of our Education Focus!

Malaysian Paper

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker