PETALING JAYA: The former editor-in-chief of The Edge has been charged at the Magistrate's Courts here with two counts of criminal defamation over two reports published in 2020 and 2021.
Ahmad Azam Mohd Aris, 61, was accused of defaming DGB Asia Bhd and its executive director Datuk Kua Khai Shyuan by publishing an article in its weekly edition of The Edge Malaysia, dated Sept 21-27, 2020.
Ahmad Azam allegedly committed the offence at The Edge Communications, Jalan PJU7/6, Mutiara Damansara here on Sept 21, 2020.
He was charged under Section 500 of the Penal Code and faces imprisonment of up to two years, or a fine or both, if convicted.
Ahmad Azam pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Maryam Jamilah Md Kamal proposed bail at RM8,000.
Lawyer Rajsurian Pillai, who represented Ahmad Azam, said the accused was only informed Monday (Sept 12) at 6.30pm that he would be charged on Tuesday.
"This is a non-arrestable offence. He came here on his own at 8am to face the charge," he said.
Rajsurian added that Ahmad Azam had retired but works at The Edge as a part-time editor.
He said his client has high blood pressure and diabetes which required medication.
The lawyer said bail was only to secure Ahmad Azam's attendance and should not be punitive.
"I suggest for bail to be between RM500 to RM1,000," Rajsurian added.
Magistrate Zhafran Rahim Hamzah set bail at RM2,500 in one surety. The court also fixed case mention on Nov 22.
At a separate Magistrate's Court here, Ahmad Azam also claimed trial to a similar charge under the same section with another news editor over another article involving Kua, DGB Asia and three other companies, namely Trive Property Group Bhd, Metronic Global Bhd and MNC Wireless Bhd.
The article was published on the same platform from April 12-18, 2021.
Ahmad Azam allegedly committed the offence at the same place on April 12, 2021.
Rajsurian informed the court that the other editor was currently abroad and unable to attend court.
This prompted Magistrate Nurshahira Abdul Salim to grant the other accused a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for Tuesday.
"The court grants him (the other accused) a DNAA today for him to be charged later," she said.
Nurshahira also fixed bail at RM500 and set the case mention on Nov 22.
DPP Farhanah Fuad Mohamad Faiz prosecuted.
When met by the press, Rajsurian said the other editor would return next week to face the charge.
