A copy of The Edge Financial Daily seen in this picture dated January 6, 2015. – The Malaysian Insider pic, July 24, 2015. The Home Ministry has suspended the publishing permit of The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily for three months from July 27.
A letter from the ministry stated that the two publications' reporting of 1MDB were "prejudicial or likely to be prejudicial to public order, security or likely to alarm public opinion or is likely to be prejudicial to public and national interest".
Failure to stop publication for three months will result in the withdrawal of the publishing permits, the letter said.
The Edge Media Group publisher and CEO Ho Kay Tat expressed disappointment with the ministry's decision.
"We don’t see how exposing the scam to cheat the people of Malaysia of billions of ringgit can be construed as being detrimental to public and national interest," said Ho.
"This is nothing more than a move to shut us down in order to shut us up."
Ho said The Edge will go to court and try and get the suspension lifted.
"To our readers and fellow Malaysians, you can continue to read our work through our digital platforms like The Edge Markets, The Edge Property, The Malaysian Insider and edgy.my," said Ho.
Other digital options to deliver the news will also be explored.
"To our advertisers, we hope you will continue to support us through our digital platforms now that the print will not be available for three months," said Ho.
The Edge Media Group’s Malaysian operations have a staff count of around 350. – July 24, 2015.
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