Friday 29 Mar 2024
By
main news image

PUTRAJAYA (Aug 30): The Court of Appeal says the issue of the validity of the Home Ministry's three-month suspension of The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily is academic, as the suspension period has already lapsed.

The suspension period began on July 27 last year and lapsed on Oct 27.

Thus, the appellate court, presided by a three-man panel led by Justice Datuk Mohd Zawawi Salleh, said the only issue now before the court is the issue of damages in relation to the suspension.

The other judges on the panel are Justice Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli and Justice Datuk Dr Prasad Sandosham Abraham.

"The suspension period has lapsed. This court should not be burdened by this academic matter," said Zawawi, adding the court would not be expressing its opinion on the matter.

He made the pronouncement during the hearing of the government's appeal today against the High Court's decision last year to quash the ministry's suspension order on the two publications belonging to The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd (The Edge).

The appeal was made after High Court Judge Datuk Asmabi Mohamad, on Sept 21, in allowing a judicial review application filed by The Edge on the legality of the suspension on July 27, cancelled the Home Ministry's suspension of the two publications. She had also ordered for damages to be assessed.

In the appellate court today, senior federal counsel Alice Loke argued earlier that the suspension was still a live issue as the suspension pertains to damages that the respondent could claim for.

But Zawawi said whether the court proceeded with the suspension issue or not, the issue of damages still stands.

Lawyer Darryl Goon is representing The Edge, which owns the two publications.

The hearing now continues on the issue of damages in relation to the suspension.

 

      Print
      Text Size
      Share