Minister in charge of Parliamentary affairs Shahidan Kassim has voiced support for suspension of two newspapers owned by The Edge Media Group.
Shahidan said that the decision by the Home Ministry was aimed at saving the country.
"I support anything decision that was taken to save the country. I may not have wide ministerial powers but I agree with whatever decision against those who threaten security," he told reporters at a function in Petaling Jaya.
On Friday, the Home Ministry informed that The Edge Financial Daily and The Edge Weekly was suspended with effect from July 27.
The Home Ministry gave three reasons for the suspension, which among others claim that the articles published by the two publications could or might be prejudicial to public order and national interest.
Authorities acted lawfully
Shahidan appeared to concur with the reasons given, by claiming that the suspension would help economic stability.
"We must ensure that the economy are stable. Sadly, there are those who still do things to threaten the country.
"Thus, we must take action against them. The authorities are not acting unfairly but based on the laws of the land," said Shahidan, who is also the Arau MP.
Critics claim that the suspension of the two newspapers was an attempt to clamp down on 1MDB's critics.
The two newspapers have reported extensively on the 1MDB controversy.
On July 20, The Edge Financial Daily published a report which claimed that businessman Jho Low and PetroSaudi International Ltd (PSI) conspired to "cheat" Malaysia of US$1.83 billion.
PSI was involved in a joint-venture with 1MDB in 2009. The JV lasted only six months. - M'kini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.