NUJ calls for suspension of The Edge to be lifted

PETALING JAYA: The Home Ministry must state clearly how The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily are deemed to be a threat to national security, said the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Malaysia.

In a statement by its president Chin Sung Chew on Friday, NUJ said that both publications had published articles related to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) with public interest in mind and the people have the right to know what is happening in the government investment arm.

“NUJ Malaysia is appalled by the decision of the Home Ministry to suspend the publishing permits of The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily for three months.

“As 1MDB is a government-linked company (GLC), the rakyat has a right to know the ongoings within 1MDB.

“Both The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily had also published rebuttals from both government spokepersons and 1MDB. As such, the publications have offered a platform for civil debate and discourse,” said Chin.

NUJ reiterated that the media has a public duty to inform, and should not be discouraged from playing an active role in highlighting issues of public and national interest.

It said that the suspension of both publications could be perceived as a clampdown on media freedom.

“Malaysia has always tried to put in place good governance and transparency, and this action only serves to reverse the good work done in the past. The country's image to the international community will also be affected by this action.

“NUJ calls for this suspension to be lifted immediately. The media is only playing its role as the fourth estate, and any disagreements over the 1MDB reports should be debated in a civil manner,” it said.

The Home Ministry suspended the publishing permits of The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily for three months from July 27.

The Edge has said that the suspension was due to its reporting on 1MDB and it would take the matter to court.

The two publications could still be accessed via digital platforms.