Nazir: I am standing for freedom of expression

Putra Jaya: Datuk Seri Nazir Razak said Sunday that he was not standing up for The Edge in particular when he criticised the suspension of the business papers, but for freedom of expression. "It's not for those people," said Nazir, who is CIMB Group Chairman and brother of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, referring to The Edge.

"What am I standing for? Freedom of opinion, freedom of expression, that is all," he told reporters after attending an Aidilfitri open house organised by former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Nazir condemned Friday on Instagram the Home Ministry's decision to suspend The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily for three months from today (Monday), saying that action should have been taken instead to correct, or to sue the papers, if there was any misreporting.

"This is not defending anyone; this is the principle (of) freedom of the media," the banker said Sunday.

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When asked if he had spoken to Najib, who was also at the event, about the issue, Nazir said:

"I have conversations with my brother. But I won't share it with you."

According to The Edge Media Group, the Home Ministry stated that the reporting of 1MDB by The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily was "prejudicial or likely to be prejudicial to public order, security or likely to alarm public opinion or is likely to be prejudicial to public and national interest".

Nazir has been critical of 1MDB and its directors' handling of the allegations against the state-owned investment firm, at one point saying they should resign for failing to actively dispel suspicions over its finances.

Meanwhile, in ALOR GAJAH, Puteri Umno head Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said media freedom in this country must be used by media practitioners prudently and with integrity in order to contribute towards national development.

She said the media freedom accorded to media practitioners in the country must be used in the best manner to convey correct information and facts to the people without any manipulation.

She said media practitioners and users of the social media must also ensure that the news and facts conveyed to the people were valid and not merely rumours.

"In this current borderless world, it is becoming increasingly important for media practitioners to have strong integrity to ensure harmony and peace in the multiracial country," she told reporters here.

Mas Ermiyati said this when commenting on the suspension of the publishing permit of The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily for three months for publishing a report which was described as detrimental to public and national interest.

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Meanwhile, the Puteri Umno head said the movement would continue to provide accurate information to the people on the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in facing the numerous attacks from various groups including attacks in the social media.

Mas Ermiyati, who is the Member of Parliament for Masjid Tanah, said the people in the country were also asked to check first the information received especially those which were negative and could jeopardise the national administration and integrity.

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