PETALING JAYA: An MP has joined in calls for the attorney-general (AG) to explain why a former chief editor of The Edge has been charged with criminal defamation over articles published in the business weekly.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng questioned why the alleged defamed businessman and companies were not allowed to seek redress in the civil courts.
Yesterday, Azam Aris was charged with defaming Kua Khai Shyuan and DGB Asia Bhd in an article published in The Edge on Sept 21, 2020.
Azam and contributing editor Shanmugam Murugasu, who was not in court, were also alleged to have defamed Kua, DGB Asia, Trive Property Group Bhd, Metronic Global Bhd and MNC Wireless Bhd in another article published on April 12 last year.
They were charged under Section 500 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum two-year jail sentence or a fine or both, upon conviction.
In a statement today, Lim acknowledged that the AG had the prerogative to institute or discontinue any proceedings, but said “he is duty bound to explain to the public about his decision to use criminal defamation with taxpayers’ money when it is the reputation of a corporate figure and public listed companies that is involved”.
“The AG should also explain, moving forward, (whether) that means that any defamed individual and commercial entity can now lodge police reports and expect criminal defamation action by the AG,” he said. - FMT
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