NGOs give flowers to The Edge
Several NGOs were at The Edge Media Group office today with flowers to show solidarity with the group's two publications which have been suspended for three months.
Several NGOs were at The Edge Media Group office today with flowers to show solidarity with the group's two publications which have been suspended for three months.
Among those who attended were electoral watchdog Bersih, media watchdog Gerakan Media Marah (Geramm), The Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia (JOAS), The Indigenous People’s Network of Malaysia,Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas), Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy, and media freedom supporters.
About 20 representatives brought bouquet arrangements and flowers to give to the media company.
The crowd started gathering in front of The Edge office at Menara KLK in Mutiara Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, around 12.30 noon.
They were also chanting "Free the media" and "Revoke The Edge's suspension".
The bouquet of flowers were then given to The Edge General Manager of Circulation Joehari Abdul Jabbar ( middle in photo ).
Joehari thanked the group and expressed his wish for everyone's continued support.
"Thank you for your support and I receive (the flowers) on behalf of the company. We appreciate it very much. We need all your support," he said.
Meanwhile, Geramm spokesperson Radzi Razak said they also plan to gather in front of The Edge's office again next Friday.
The gathering today is not just about giving the flowers to the media company but also it is a show of solidarity in support of The Edge, he said.
"The main reason we oppose this decision (of suspension) is because we think it is unfair as this has bad intentions against media practitioners in Malaysia.
He said the group plans to gather again in front of The Edge office to protest the Home Ministry’s decision at 3pm on Friday.
Yesterday, the Home Ministry suspended the publishing permit of The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily for three months, starting July 27.
The suspension was based on reports by The Edge related to the 1MDB issues that the Home Ministry claimed to be "prejudicial or likely to be prejudicial to public order, security or likely to alarm public opinion or is likely to prejudicial to public and national interest".
The Home Ministry also warned the media company that a failure to stop publication for three months would lead to the withdrawal of their publishing permits.
The Edge Media Group chief executive officer Ho Kay Tat said they stand firmly behind the news reports and refused to apologise , maintaining that they have done no wrong.
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