An online portal accused of slandering Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has defended its contentious report as a political analysis based on the current scenario.
Agenda Daily CEO Md Izwan Zubit (above) denied that the publication harboured ill intentions against Ismail Sabri.
"I would like to explain that the article was not intended to slander. It was an analysis by our editor on the current political scenario.
"So when it is interpreted as slander or fake news, it is not true," Izwan told reporters outside the Dang Wangi district police station today.
"It is not news, it is a commentary or analysis by the editor," he added.
Izwan earlier had his statement recorded in connection with a police report lodged on Jan 31 by Ismail Sabri's political secretary against three portals that published an article claiming the prime minister had "begged" Perikatan Nasional (PN) not to withdraw their support for him.
According to Ismail Sabri's officer, the portals had allegedly manipulated the premier's remarks made during an engagement with members of the press at an event in Bera, Pahang.
Further, Izwan described Ismail Sabri's officer's act to lodge a police report as unreasonable.
"It is unreasonable because he could have contacted us directly at Agenda Daily to clarify or correct the article," Izwan said.
In pledging full cooperation to the ongoing police probe, Izwan said the prime minister should have been more mature and open to criticisms.
Prior to the publication of the article, Ismail Sabri had told a press conference that political stability is important for the country, without which would see another political turmoil that might affect Malaysia's economy.
He said this in response to a statement made by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who said the parties' support for the federal government led by Ismail Sabri is "conditional". - Mkini
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