Dr Mahathir laments on press freedom after AGC's criminal suit against newspaper editor
KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is baffled, disturbed and worried of Malaysia’s press freedom with the handcuffing of The Edge former editor-in-chief Azam Aris over the latter’s reports on the manipulation of the country’s stock exchange.
In fact, Dr Mahathir believed that readiness of Attorney-General Chamber (AGC) in initiating criminal charges against Azam when the publication had alleged that a crime had been committed is perplexing.
“By any logic, the investigation should be directed at the people alleged to have committed the crime. Otherwise, let the people accused take civil action against the publication.
“If there is no truth to what had been reported, the person or companies that felt that they have been wronged should have sued the editor and the publication for defamation,” he argued in a statement issued today.
The action of the public prosecutor’s office, Dr Mahathir insisted, will further erode the country’s press freedom ratings, which had already taken a major dip in the past two years.
“Having editors charged and handcuffed as common criminals is intimidating and sets back efforts to promote the freedom of the press which the Pakatan Harapan government had committed itself during the 22-month of its rule.
“To my mind, the Attorney-General Chambers can still redeem itself and remedy the situation. Withdraw the case and let the two parties settle their dispute through civil action,” he lamented.
Azam, along with The Edge contributing editor Shanmugam Murugasu, were charged on September 13 over two news reports on the abnormal surge in penny stocks in 2020 and 2021.
Those implicated, by duo reports were Metronic Global Bhd non-executive director Datuk Kua Khai Shyuan, DGB Asia Bhd, Trive Property Group Bhd, and Metronic Global Bhd and MNC Wireless Bhd.
Azam pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Petaling Jaya Magistrate’s Court has set November 22 for the next case management.
