THE Federal Court today ruled that the Edge Communications Sdn Bhd could claim for damages from the home minister for losses incurred over the three-month suspension of two of its publications in 2015.

The court also dismissed an appeal by the Home Minister and the Home Ministry secretary-general to set aside the appellate court’s decision in allowing the company to claim damages from them.

A five-man panel led by Court of Appeal president Sri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin ruled that the appeal brought by the home minister and the Home Ministry secretary-general did not have merits.

There was no appeal in respect to the issue of liability, said Zulkefli, who presided with Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Richard Malanjum and Federal Court judges Ramly Ali, Zaharah Ibrahim and Balia Yusof Wahi.

Following the decision, the matter would go back to the High Court for damages to be assessed. The matter is fixed for case management at the Kuala Lumpur High Court tomorrow.

On January 25 this year, the Federal Court granted leave to the minister to appeal on three legal questions over the issue on award of damages to The Edge.

The ministry suspended the publishing permit of The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily for three months from July 27, 2015 over publication of reports related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

The order was quashed by the High Court on September 21, 2015 which allowed The Edge’s judicial review application. The High Court also ordered for assessment of damages suffered by The Edge.

On August 30, last year, the Appellate Court dismissed the minister’s appeal on the High Court’s order for assessment of damages.

The Court of Appeal did not hear submissions on the validity of the ministry’s suspension order because the matter was academic as the suspension period had lapsed. – Bernama, August 9, 2017.