The Edge S Former Editor In Chief Charged With Criminal Defamation

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The Edge publication’s former editor-in-chief Ahmad Azam Mohd Aris has been charged under the Penal Code at two separate Magistrate’s Court in Petaling Jaya today over two news reports published on the penny stock surge in 2020.
Azam (above) was charged with two counts under Section 500 of the Penal Code for criminal defamation, and a current editor M Shanmugam was named in one.
Section 500 carries imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both.
Azam pleaded not guilty to both charges of criminal defamation before magistrates Nurshahira Abdul Salim and Zhafran Rahim Hamzah.
He was granted bail of RM500 with one surety for one charge, and bail of RM2,500 with one surety for another.
Both magistrates then set Nov 22 for case management.
Accused’s lawyer Rajsurian PillaiHe was represented by counsel Rajsurian Pillai.
According to a copy of the charge sheet, Azam and Shanmugam had allegedly defamed Kua Khai Shyuan, DGB Asia Bhd, Trive Property Group Bhd, Metronic Global Bhd and MNC Wireless Bhd in the portal’s reports.
The reports, dated Sept 21, 2020, and April 12, 2021, had named individuals who were allegedly involved in manipulating penny stocks on Bursa Malaysia.
It is understood that Shanmugam was not present in court today as he was overseas.
He was granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal in the meantime.
In a statement released later, The Edge Media Group CEO Ho Kay Tat questioned the need for Azam and Shanmugam to be charged with criminal defamation.

"If anything at all, (this) is essentially a civil dispute.

"As a media that reports on the stock market and corporate sector extensively, we have a responsibility to highlight important matters to the investing public – including alerting them about
how stock prices are being manipulated," he said. - Mkini

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