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Malaysian man becomes first to be charged under anti-stalking law: ‘women deserve better’

  • The man, who began to harass a photographer in 2016, continued to stalk her even after she moved to London in 2022 to avoid him
  • The charge is the first test of the much-touted new anti-stalking law that was established in May after years of advocacy by women’s protection groups

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A general view of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. A 37-year-old man accused of stalking a woman over eight years across continents on Thursday became the first person to be charged under Malaysia’s new anti-stalking law. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hadi Azmi
A 37-year-old man accused of stalking a woman over eight years across continents on Thursday became the first person to be charged under Malaysia’s new anti-stalking law, after the victim pleaded over social media for action following a years-long ordeal.

At the Shah Alam courthouse in Selangor, Muhamad Safiq Rosli was charged under the new law with repeatedly stalking photographer Acacia Mardiana Daud, 31. He pleaded not guilty.

If convicted, he is liable to up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine, under a law that was established in May after years of dogged advocacy by women’s protection groups.

A woman checks her mobile phone in Kuala Lumpur. Women’s Aid Organisation, which has been instrumental in making stalking a crime in Malaysia, is still pushing for police officers and front line responders to be made aware of stalking as a crime. Photo: AFP
A woman checks her mobile phone in Kuala Lumpur. Women’s Aid Organisation, which has been instrumental in making stalking a crime in Malaysia, is still pushing for police officers and front line responders to be made aware of stalking as a crime. Photo: AFP

Magistrate Sasha Diana Sabtu also granted Acacia a protection order preventing the accused from contacting the victim and her family throughout the duration of the court proceedings, setting a precedent for future cases.

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The accused meanwhile was denied bail after that he absconded from Britain in April – where he is still a wanted man – after being detained by British authorities for harassing Acacia there, whom he allegedly trailed after she moved to London in 2022 to avoid his harassment.

“To this day I don’t feel safe in Malaysia. He has tried to find me physically. I told him I was not interested,” she said on X, the platform previously known as Twitter.
Women ride a tandem bicycle in Kuala Lumpur. While Malaysian social media users were jubilant over the news, many were appalled it took the victim going public and getting viral to be heard. Photo: EPA-EFE
Women ride a tandem bicycle in Kuala Lumpur. While Malaysian social media users were jubilant over the news, many were appalled it took the victim going public and getting viral to be heard. Photo: EPA-EFE

Her July tweets drew attention to her situation, attracting over 16 million views on Twitter as well as the local press, government ministers, and the Royal Malaysian Police, turning into the first test of the much-touted new anti-stalking law.

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