A FORMER editor-in-chief of The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd was today acquitted of one of two counts of defaming a Datuk and four companies, in two articles published by The Edge Malaysia weekly.

Magistrate Zhafran Rahim Hamzah acquitted Ahmad Azam Mohd Aris, 61, after deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Siti Maryam Jamilah Md Kamal informed the court that the prosecution had received instructions from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to withdraw the case.

Siti Maryam said the prosecution had also received a letter of representation, submitted by Azam, dated September 28.

“Therefore, I request that the accused be given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for this charge,” she said during the mention of the case today.

Lawyer Rajsurian Pillai, who represented Azam, appealed for his client to be released and acquitted of the charge because no reason was given as to why the case was withdrawn, and if the case was DNAA, the charge would hang on the accused indefinitely.

Azam was charged with defaming Kua Khai Shyuan, 38, and DGB Asia Bhd, through the publication of an article in The Edge Malaysia in the September 21-27, 2020 issue, which will damage the reputation of Kua and the company.

Meanwhile, before magistrate Shahril Anuar Ahmad Mustapa, Azam was given a DNAA on another charge of defaming Kua and the companies – DGB Asia, Trive Property Group Bhd, Metronic Global Bhd and MNC Wireless Bhd – through an article published in The Edge Malaysia in the April 12-18, 2021 issue.

The two offences were allegedly committed at The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd, Level 3, Menara KLK, Mutiara Damansara, on September 21, 2020, and April 12, 2021.

Both charges were framed under section 500 of the penal code, read together with section 34 of the same code, which provides for a maximum jail term of two years or a fine or both, upon conviction.

Earlier, DPP Farhanah Fuad Mohamad Faiz, said the prosecution also received instructions from the AGC to withdraw the case and asked for the accused to be given a DNAA for the second charge.

Rajsurian, who was assisted by lawyer Allyna Ng, representing the accused, appealed for their client to be acquitted and discharged on the same grounds. – Bernama, November 22, 2022.