Police probe photographer's sexual harassment allegation

PETALING JAYA - Police are probing into a woman's allegation of sexual harassment on Instagram, following a viral post on the social media platform on Thursday.

Petaling Jaya district deputy police chief Superintendent M Hussin Zolkifly said that the investigation found that a report related to the incident had been made by the victim in 2018.

He said that the case had been reclassified for further investigation following the woman's viral post.

"Investigation papers have been opened under Section 509 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Malaysian Multimedia Communications and Act 1998," he said.

Section 509 of the Penal Code deals with criminal intimidation, while Section 233 of the Multimedia and Communications Act deals with improper use of network facilities or services.

"The public is advised to not make any statements on any platform to avoid any speculation that could affect the police's investigation," he said.

Last Thursday, a local photographer uploaded a post on social media claiming to be a victim of sexual harassment on Instagram.

The victim started uploading bits and pieces of her experience of the harassment on Instagram and Twitter, including attached screenshots of the stalker's messages to her that include lewd content.

Her posts were widely circulated overnight and garnered much attention from social media users.

In her social media posts, the victim also disclosed that the individual had stalked her all the way to London, that the United Kingdom (UK) authorities had arrested him, and that he is currently facing harassment-related charges in court.

She claimed her stalker had fled the UK and had not had his day in court.