The Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) has withdrawn its letter of demand (LOD) against The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd and one of its writers.
This comes after Human Resources Minister Steven Sim ordered it to do so.
Speaking to reporters in Parliament today, Sim (above) said he disagreed with the actions of HRD Corp, an agency under his purview, as he believed in media freedom.
“I have instructed HRD Corp to withdraw the summon and it was done yesterday (July 16) before the PAC (Public Accounts Committee) conducted their press conference,” he added.
The PAC, led by its chairperson Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, held a press conference before Sim’s remarks.
The committee condemned HRD Corp’s threat to sue The Edge.
“The PAC views this as an attempt to put pressure on the media to not publish the PAC report on HRD Corp,” said Mas Ermieyati.
According to The Edge’s report, the LOD claimed that its reports were designed to malign HRD Corp and its officials.
The news organisation was also accused of exposing HRD Corp, its officials, and employees to “odium, ridicule, contempt, and public scandal which has undoubtedly tarnished the professional reputation of HRD Corp” and its appointed officials and employees.
HRD Corp initially sought the removal of two articles, as well as a formal written apology to be published in two English dailies and The Edge’s website within 48 hours of the date of the letter. It also wants damages for the alleged grievances it claimed it suffered.
The Edge Media Group chief executive officer and publisher Ho Kay Tat in an initial response vowed to defend any suits it may face from HRD Corp, stressing that the reported issues are of public interest as they involve money belonging to the country’s employers and employees.
LOD to freelance reporter
Freelance journalist M Krishnamoorthy claimed he was also issued a letter of demand over similar articles originally published on Newswav.com.
"I do not understand why HRD Corp served me the attached letter of demand (defamation) and Newswav.
"Newswav has withdrawn the articles.
"As a freelancer reporter for Newswav I was merely reporting the PAC and auditor-general’s reports," he said in a statement today.
He urged the human resources minister and HRD Corp to withdraw the letter of demand its lawyer issued to him as well.
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