HRD Corp to withdraw legal threat against The Edge, says HR minister

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Human resource minister Steven Sim has reportedly ordered Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp) to withdraw its defamation action against financial news organisation The Edge.

In a press conference in Parliament, Sim reportedly said that he disagreed with the agency's decision to threaten legal action against the media outlet.

When informed of the matter, Sim had reportedly ordered HRD Corp to withdraw the suit. The minister added that the agency complied, according to Malay Mail.

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According to The Edge, HRD Corp sent a letter of demand to the news organisation for alleged defamation over reporting on the findings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the auditor general (AG) about the agency.

Sent on behalf by law firm Amrit & Company, HRD Corp had accused the media company of having "unfairly, deliberately, maliciously, recklessly published and in bad faith (malice) misquoted, sensationalised and misinterpreted the findings made by the National Audit Department" in two of its articles, said The Edge.

The first article was published on 4 July where it reported that the PAC had flagged several dubious property deals at HRD Corp and had quoted the PAC's report, as well as PAC chairperson Ermieyati Samsudin.

The second article was published in The Edge Malaysia weekly for the week of 8 to 14 July and discussed how HRD Corp had come under scrutiny for questionable investments and property purchases.

In the demand letter, HRD Corp sought for both articles to be removed and a formal written apology to be published in two English dailies and The Edge's website within 48 hours of the date of letter, said The Edge.

It also wanted damages for the alleged grievances it claimed it suffered, added the media company.

In response, chief executive officer and publisher Ho Kay Tat said The Edge "stands by its articles that quoted the findings of the PAC and the AG and will vigorously defend any suits that HRD Corp may file against it."

He added that the issues surrounding HRD Corp are of public interest as they involve money belonging to employers and employees of the country, said The Edge.

In May this year, it was reported that The Edge Communications and its owner, Tong Kooi Ong, are reportedly no longer substantial shareholders in Star Media Group. This is following the latest share sale it held last week.

According to The Edge, Tong sold out his stakes of 0.2% (1.45 million shares) on 2 and 3 May. The Edge Communications, on the other hand, reportedly sold 1.5 million shares on 3 May.

The transaction price was not disclosed.

Picture courtesy of Steven Sim/Instagram

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