The viral case at Sunway University Library has sparked outrage, but not just at the act itself. As public mockery ensues, it raises a troubling question: why do we relish online shaming?
Humans are strange creatures. We endorse justice and fairness. We’re thrilled when we’re liked by others. And deep down, we believe we’re good people.
But sometimes, our actions may conflict with that self-image – and we don’t even realise it.
Such is the case in the recent Sunway University Library scandal, which exploded into Malaysia’s national consciousness via two viral videos.
One showed a student engaging in a lewd act on school grounds in the library (an alarming incident that is currently under police investigation). But the other video was a little odd: that same student walking through the campus surrounded by other students, jeering.
Polis Siasat Lelaki Lakukan Perbuatan Tidak Senonoh di Perpustakaan Sunway University
SUBANG JAYA – Polis sedang menjalankan siasatan berhubung insiden seorang lelaki yang dipercayai melakukan perbuatan tidak senonoh secara terbuka di dalam perpustakaan Sunway University selepas… pic.twitter.com/HeqtX4tDME
— MYNEWSHUB (@mynewshub) March 23, 2025
And thus beginneth the public shaming. For he has been found guilty of a crime of the highest order, and, among other decrees, has been sentenced to being made fun of online, chased around so the resulting photos and films can be posted, and doxxed.
Because hadn’t this student committed a contemptible act? Yes.
But isn’t the aftermath a tad overdone? Well…also yes.
The outcome has shown a maliciousness in society that we like to pretend doesn’t exist. It’s almost as if his human value has been forgotten in light of the incident, giving others the excuse of treating him as a lower being. This wasn’t just a disciplinary moment. It turned into digital sport.
And unluckily for the perpetrator-turned-unwitting-victim-of-bullying, because of how much of what he’s going through is being safeguarded online, it may follow him forever.
Some may take delight in such a thought.
But when we take a step back from the situation, it’s quite a curious notion to have.
And it makes one wonder: as entities who believe in our own innate goodness, what could compel us to go so far to demean another person?
Psychologically Profiling a Bully
According to the American Psychological Association, bullying is an aggressive form of behaviour in which a person intentionally and repetitively hurts someone else.
And that’s what this case has come to, hasn’t it?
Always a strange thing to realise that bullying isn’t a problem confined to primary school domains. Grown-ups do it too.
Why?
Individual Traits
There are those who become more prone to bullying because of specific qualities, including high levels of aggression and impulsivity, low levels of empathy, and difficulties accepting responsibility for their own actions. Some may even bully to feel powerful – climbing higher by stepping on others.
Personal History
Stressful or traumatic experiences can cause someone to exhibit bullying behaviours. Maybe their family life isn’t the best, or they had a lonely childhood. Maybe they were once victims of bullying themselves.
Either way, these unresolved emotional issues can cause them to project their insecurities onto others through bullying, as a way to compensate for their own feelings of inadequacy, and feel more in control.
Boredom
Yup, sometimes we bully people just because we can.
This is particularly common in the era of the internet, where the anonymity presented to us in the digital space could cause us to act in ways we never would offline.
But here’s the twist: not everyone who watches, laughs, or shares cruel content is a “bully” in the traditional sense. Most are regular people caught in the slipstream of a viral moment.
So what makes this case, and others like it—where people were publicly shamed for breaking a moral code—so appealing to one’s inner tormentor that virtual strangers could even put their two cents in?
The Allure of Public Shaming
For some, this case presented an opportunity for them to bask in their 15 minutes.
But for others, it was a chance to show how good and morally superior they were in comparison, by grounding the victim’s worth deep under.
“He did something disgusting,” the thinking goes, “so I get to judge him—and I’m better for it.”
Since self-esteem is strongly influenced by our relative social positions, and is something our brains value immensely, that it can be obtained by an ability to dominate another may, unfortunately, make bullying an instinctive act.
As social animals, we’re wired to care about our place in the pack. And nothing says “I belong” like joining in on a public moral takedown.
This might actually be something that helps drive online shaming, the act of publicly calling out and humiliating individuals on the internet for their perceived wrongdoings.
Unfortunately, our cognitive biases may cause us to overlook the emotional impact of our defamatory actions. Behind every joke, every meme, every retweet, there is a real person spiralling into a mental health crisis.
Unveiling the Consequences of Our Actions
Bullying or self-righteous shaming of this sort can hurt the victim’s mental health—and the fact that it’s happening so publicly can worsen the effects.
As described by Associate Professor of Psychology (Education) Andree Hartanto from the School of Social Sciences at Singapore Management University, in The Straits Times, when online bullying occurs, it is “often more persistent, more psychological and emotional in nature, and can spread to a wider audience quickly”.
“Victims can experience harassment around the clock, even within the perceived safety of their homes, leading to increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression,” he added.
This can lead to an overwhelming sense of powerlessness over the situation. The consequences faced by the victim range from the development of mental health disorders, social withdrawal, and even suicidal ideation.
Comment
byu/13yrChef from discussion
inmalaysiauni
Knowing this, can you still condone such actions?
The Conclusion: Just Don’t Be Mean
In response to the incident, Sunway Education Group issued an official statement confirming that the matter is being investigated by both campus security and the Royal Malaysia Police. More importantly, they urged the public to stop sharing the video, highlighting that doing so may cause “emotional and psychological distress to the individuals involved.”
They urged the public to exercise empathy, especially in the digital space. Justice and accountability can, and should, coexist with compassion.
Maybe children can play the ignorance card, but the ethos of our current era highlights a growing awareness of all things related to mental health—including the ramifications of bullying.
We don’t disregard criminal acts, but we have to respect the fact that the transgressor is human too – one who may already feel shame and regret over his original behaviours.
So before you jump into a social lynching event, ask yourself: is it really your business what someone else did? And if it didn’t affect you in any major way, why did you want to involve yourself in the first place?
Because in the end, the way we treat others—especially at their lowest—says far more about us than them.
External References
- American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Bullying. Retrieved from: https://www.apa.org/topics/bullying
- Burnett, D. (2023, December 2). The rise of ‘virtue bullies’: How self-righteous shaming conquered the Internet. BBC Science Focus. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencefocus.com/comment/attacking-others-moral-superiority
- Chan, G. (2024, October 12). The relentless nature of cyber bullying and why Singapore schools must remain vigilant. The Straits Times. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/the-relentless-nature-of-cyber-bullying-and-why-singapore-schools-must-remain-vigilant
- Cuncic, A. (2023, December 31). The Psychology of Cyberbullying. Verywell Mind. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/the-psychology-of-cyberbullying-5086615
- Geng, C. (2024, April 19). How can bullying affect people? Medical News Today. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/effects-of-bullying
- Ho, A. (2015, April 23). The morality of public shaming. The Straits Times. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/the-morality-of-public-shaming
- Lockett, E. (2023, December 7). Exploring the Risk Factors and Reasons for Bullying. Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/why-do-people-bully
- Malay Mail. (2025, March 22). Subang Jaya police investigate student over alleged obscene behaviour at Sunway University library. Retrieved from: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/03/22/subang-jaya-police-investigate-student-over-alleged-obscene-behaviour-at-sunway-university-library/170474
- Muir, S. R., Roberts, L. D., & Sheridan, L. P. (2021). The portrayal of online shaming in contemporary online news media: A media framing analysis. Computers in Human Behavior Reports. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348567803_The_portrayal_of_online_shaming_in_contemporary_online_news_media_A_media_framing_analysis
- Rowden, A. (2024, February 8). What to know about why people bully. Medical News Today. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-people-do-bullying
