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.
Before Zhafran, he was 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 Sept 21 to 27, 2020 period, which will damage the reputation of Kua and the company.
Before Nurshahira, Azam was charged 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 18, 2021 period.
The two offences were allegedly committed at The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd, Level 3, Menara KLK, Mutiara Damansara on Sept 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 prosecutor Siti Maryam Jamilah Md Kamal, who prosecuted the case before Zhafran, and Siti Maryam’s colleague Farhanah Fuad Mohamad Faiz, who represented the prosecution before Nurshahira, each offered bail of RM8,000 in one surety to the accused.
In the proceedings before Nurshahira, Farhanah told the court that another accused, Shanmugam Murugasu, 59, was not present in court today and applied for him to be given a discharge not amounting to an (DNAA), and to be charged again later.
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 despite being informed only yesterday evening,” he said, adding that bail is meant to secure the attendance of an accused in court and not as a form of punishment.
The lawyer said Shanmugam, who is also an editor of The Edge, is now overseas and will return next week to face the charges.
Nurshahira then granted Shanmugam a DNAA, for him to be charged later.
Nurshahira allowed Azam bail of RM500 in one surety while Zhafran set bail at RM2,500 in one surety.
Both courts set Nov 22 this year for mention.
