The Edge former editor-in-chief charged with criminal defamation for reporting abnormal penny stocks surge

Description

On 13 September, Ahmad Azam Mohd Aris, the former editor-in-chief of The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd, was charged with two counts of criminal defamation against a Malaysian businessman and four firms in connection with two news articles on alleged penny stocks manipulation in 2020 and 2021. Contributing editor for The Edge, Shanmugam Murugasu, has also been charged in one of the instances.

Ahmad Azam claimed trial for both charges and was released on bail.

The charges are under Section 500 of the Penal Code for criminal defamation, carrying a maximum 2-year jail, a fine, or both.

Information
Is the case related to their journalistic work?
Yes
Number of attacked persons or entities related to media
1
Do they work as freelance or media?
Yes
Position in media
Editor in chief
Status of journalists
Full time
Gender
Male
Age
Unknown
Country
Kuala Lumpur
Full name or name of group
Identified
The name of perpetrator (individual/group)
Datuk Kua Khai Shyuan, DGB Asia Bhd, Trive Property Group Bhd, Metronic Global Bhd and MNC Wireless Bhd
Background (state actor or non state actor)
Non-state actors (Political party, intolerance group, religious group, individual, private organization, private company, etc)
Gender
Unknown
Is it related to gender and identity based violence?
No
Attack mention about gender background/sexual wording?
No
Date of incident
Year of incident
2022
Type of incident
Criminal lawsuit/charge: Defamation
Please type the data source here (Link)
https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/edge-former-editorinchief-charged-criminal-defamation-reporting-abnormal-penny-stocks-surge