Penal Policy on Digital Defamation: A Comparative Study of Indonesian and Malaysian Law

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15294/ijcls.v11i1.34130

Keywords:

Penal Policy, Cyber Defamation, Freedom of Expression, IT Law, Comparative Criminal Law

Abstract

The expansion of criminal defamation in digital space, particularly under Indonesia’s ITE Law, has raised concerns over disproportionate restrictions on freedom of expression compared to neighboring jurisdictions such as Malaysia. This study aims to examine how Indonesia and Malaysia regulate criminal defamation and to identify key differences in their penal policies. The central issue is whether reliance on criminal law as a primary regulatory instrument leads to disproportionate interference with freedom of expression in both jurisdictions. This research employs a normative juridical method with a comparative law approach, analyzing Article 27A of Law No. 1 of 2024 (ITE Law), the new Indonesian Criminal Code, and Sections 499–502 of the Malaysian Penal Code, complemented by the Defamation Act 1957 and Constitutional Court Decision No. 105/PUU-XXII/2024. The findings indicate three principal differences. Indonesia maintains a broader scope of criminalization with imprisonment as a dominant sanction, whereas Malaysia tends to prioritize civil remedies. Malaysia also demonstrates more developed defenses grounded in public interest. At the same time, Indonesia’s approach remains less structured in distinguishing legitimate criticism from defamation and in translating principles of reputation protection into proportional legal standards. The study concludes that Indonesia’s current framework risks over-criminalization and requires reform to ensure proportionality. Criminal sanctions should be applied as a last resort (ultimum remedium), supported by mandatory mediation and clearer normative boundaries.

Author Biographies

  • Hartanto Hartanto, Faculty of Law, Universitas Widya Mataram

    He is a faculty member at the Faculty of Law, Widya Mataram University, Yogyakarta, specializing in criminal law with a concentration on Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE) Law.

  • Syakdiah Syakdiah, Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Widya Mataram

    She is a senior lecturer at Widya Mataram University in Public Administration, has extensive teaching and research experience in governance and public policy.

  • Dwi Astuti , Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Widya Mataram

    From the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Widya Mataram University, is currently pursuing her doctoral study (Ph.D.) and has expertise in integrating legal studies with social sciences.

  • Daniil Alimpeev, Institute for Public Administration and Governance, National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University)

    He is affiliated with the Institute for Public Administration and Governance, HSE University, and has collaborated as a author with the present team in several academic publications. Together, the authors bring interdisciplinary perspectives in law, administration, and social sciences, reflecting both national and international scholarly collaboration.

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Published

2026-06-10

Article ID

34130

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026): Indonesia J. Crim. L. Studies (May, 2026)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Hartanto Hartanto, Syakdiah Syakdiah, Dwi Astuti , Daniil Alimpeev (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Hartanto, Hartanto, Syakdiah Syakdiah, Dwi Astuti, and Daniil Alimpeev. 2026. “Penal Policy on Digital Defamation: A Comparative Study of Indonesian and Malaysian Law”. IJCLS (Indonesian Journal of Criminal Law Studies) 11 (1): 621-52. https://doi.org/10.15294/ijcls.v11i1.34130.