PUTRAJAYA (July 28): Reporters and television (TV) crew from The Edge Media Group, The Malaysian Insider (TMI) and Malaysiakini were barred from covering the announcement on the Cabinet reshuffle here this afternoon.

At least seven reporters and TV crew were told by policemen on duty that they were given instructions not to issue passes to the three media groups to enter the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) where a press conference chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on the Cabinet reshuffle is being held.

One policeman stalled The Edge reporters at the pass collection counter, stating that he needed further instructions from his senior officers. This is despite having showed valid media passes issued by the Information Ministry and noting that the write-ups are for theedgemarkets.com.

The Home Ministry had last week suspended The Edge Weekly's and The Edge Financial Daily's publishing permit for three months from July 27 because of their reporting on 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

The two Malaysiakini reporters and TV crew were also not allowed entry at about 1.30pm, even as other reporters from the mainstream media were given passes.

Malaysiakini and TMI also have valid media passes issued by the Information Ministry.

It is understood that the refusal to allow The Edge coverage at PMO started after the recent suspension on both its weekly and daily publications.

Earlier at the press conference, Najib announced that Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is the new deputy prime minister and will also retain his current portfolio as home minister.

Najib also announced the removal of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as his deputy, calling it a "difficult decision" but one he had to make to ensure that the Cabinet operated as a collective unit.

Najib added that the Cabinet reshuffle was done after taking into account political considerations and the needs of his administration to ensure that it remained focused on implementing Malaysia's development.