Govt's appeal in The Edge suspension fixed for June 13

KUALA LUMPUR (March 26): The High Court fixed June 13 to hear the appeal filed by the government which was ordered to pay more than RM11.2 million to The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd over the suspension of two of its publications by the Home Ministry (KDN) for three months in 2015.

The High Court Judge Datuk Nordin Hassan ordered both parties to file in their written submission by May 29 in the chambers today.

Federal Counsel Shaiful Nizam Shahrin, who acted on behalf of the KDN Secretary-General and the Home Minister, said both parties are ready to proceed with the hearing of the appeal as the High Court Deputy Registrar's grounds of judgment are ready.

The grounds of judgment prepared by High Court Deputy Registrar Norazlin Othman explained why The Edge ought to be awarded damages for loss of revenue totalling RM11,260,350.

Previously, it was reported that the government still took the stand that no damages ought to be awarded to The Edge over the suspension of two of its publications, regarding reports on the issue of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

The Edge is also appealing as the High Court Deputy Registrar did not allow constitutional damages, aggravated and exemplary damages claimed by the company.

The KDN suspended the publication permit of The Edge Malaysia weekly and The Edge Financial Daily for three months from July 27, 2015, following their reports on the 1MDB issue.

The Edge subsequently filed the application for the judicial review on July 27, 2015, to get an order for the court to reject the decision of the Home Minister in suspending the permit of the two publications.

On Aug 9, 2017, the Federal Court decided that The Edge could seek damages from the Home Minister for losses suffered with regard to the suspension of two of its publications, after dismissing the appeal by the Home Minister and KDN Secretary-General to set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal that allowed The Edge to seek damages from both parties.

The High Court on Dec 17, 2018 awarded The Edge a compensation totalling more than RM11.2 million and also ordered both respondents to pay an interest of 4% beginning July 27, 2015, until the full completion of the case.

Counsel Amanda Loh appeared for The Edge.  — theedgemarkets.com

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