Home Ministry gives 3 reasons for The Edge suspension

Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Alwi Ibrahim says the suspension of two The Edge publications was made after the ministry scrutinised their reports on 1MDB. – kualalumpurpost.com pic, July 25, 2015.The Home Ministry has given three reasons for its decision to suspend The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily for three months from July 27.

It said first, the headings and reporting by the two publications raised questions and created negative public perceptions towards 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), and also implicated the government and national leaders.

Second, it said the reports were based on doubtful and unverified  information, which might alarm public opinion and could/might be prejudicial to public order and national interest.

Thirdly, the 1MDB issue is being investigated by an investigation team and therefore it is inappropriate for the reporting (on the issue) to create negative perceptions.

Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Alwi Ibrahim in a statement yesterday said the suspension of the publications was made after the ministry scrutinised their reports on 1MDB and the reply to the show-cause letters issued.

"The two publications were found to contain articles which violated Section 7 (1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (amended 2012) which are prejudicial or may be prejudical to public order, or may alarm public opinion or jeopardise public order and national interest," he said.

Alwi said the media should be more responsible in their news reports, in line wth the freedom given.

"The impact of irresponsible reports on public order and national interest should be carefully considered and they should not contravene the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (amended 2012).

"The publication of the reports should also be done in accordance with the provisions in the publishing permit in force," he said. – Bernama, July 25, 2015.