Suspension Of The Edge Publications Does Not Mar Image Of Malaysia - Tourism Minister

KUALA KANGSAR (Perak, Malaysia), July 27 (Bernama) -- The three-month suspension of the publishing permits of Malaysian financial publications, The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily does not in any way mar the image of the country, said Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz. He said all countries had their own laws to deal with media entities that published reports that were allegedly inaccurate. "The government's move to suspend The Edge has not shocked the world, as although Malaysia backs press freedom, it does not mean that the media can publish reports that are alleged to be inaccurate. "They should be more responsible because readers will deem that they are truthful in their reporting," he told reporters here Sunday. Mohamed Nazri was commenting on the move by the Malaysian Home Ministry on Friday to suspend the two publications for three months effective Monday. The Home Ministry gave three reasons for suspending the two publications. Firstly, the topic and manner of reporting of the two publications led rise to negative questions and perceptions of society against national sovereign fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), which is mired in controversy. Secondly, the reports published were also sourced on doubtful and unconfirmed information, which might influence the thinking of the public and could bring harm to public peace and national interests. Thirdly, the issues related to 1MDB were being investigated by an investigation team which had been set up. As such, it is not appropriate that coverage which could raise negative perceptions were carried out continuously and it was unfair to 1MDB, the government and the national leadership. --BERNAMA