Home Ministry issues show-cause letter to The Edge over 1MDB reports

The Home Ministry has issued a show-cause letter to financial daily The Edge over its reports on government investment arm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

A ministry’s official told The Star that the publication was issued with a show-cause letter on Monday evening.

This follows a statement last Wednesday by Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who had said that The Edge Media Group owner Datuk Tong Kooi Ong should be held responsible for “inaccurate reports” on 1MDB.

“The Edge and its owner Tong Kooi Ong must be held responsible for publishing inaccurate reports and false information. The Edge should have verified the facts before publishing the articles,” said Dr Ahmad Zahid last Wednesday.

Dr Ahmad Zahid had said that news website Sarawak Report had become a source of false information on 1MDB and that this false information had been later reported by The Edge and other media. He added that Tong must take responsibility for publishing incorrect news, which should have been verified beforehand.

It was reported on Monday that The Edge and Sarawak Report may be summoned over their articles on 1MDB, with Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar saying that the police would call anyone in if deemed necessary.