PETALING JAYA, Sept 13 — A former editor-in-chief of The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd was charged on two counts of defaming a Datuk and four companies in two articles published by The Edge Malaysia weekly.
Ahmad Azam Mohd Aris, 61, now a part-time editor at The Edge news portal, pleaded not guilty to the charges in two separate courts, before magistrates Zhafran Rahim Hamzah and Nurshahira Abdul Salim.
Azam, together with another person still at large, is charged with defaming Datuk Kua Khai Shyuan, 38, and DGB Asia Berhad through the publication of an article in The Edge Malaysia Issue 1337 for the September 21 to September 27, 2020 period, which will damage the reputation of Kua and the company.
He is also charged, together with another person still at large, with defaming Kua and DGB Asia, Trive Property Group Berhad, Metronic Global Berhad and MNC Wireless Berhad, through an article published in The Edge Malaysia Issue 1365 for the April 12 to April 18, 2021 period.
The two offences were allegedly committed at The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd, Level 3, Menara KLK, Mutiara Damansara on September 21, 2020 and April 12, 2021.
He was charged under Section 500 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the same code, which provides for a maximum jail term of two years or a fine or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutors Siti Maryam Jamilah Md Kamal and Farhanah Fuad Mohamad Faiz each offered bail of RM8,000 in one surety to the accused.
Azam’s lawyer Rajsurian Pillai asked for a lower bail on the ground that his client has high blood pressure and diabetes and has to support three children who are still studying.
“My client has given his cooperation throughout the investigation process and he himself turned up in court today,” he said.
The courts allowed him bail of RM3,000 in one surety for both charges and fixed November 22 this year for mention.
— Bernama
