GBM: Crackdown on The Edge reflects government’s dire desperation

Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM) condemns, in the strongest terms, the government’s suspension of The Edge Financial Daily and The Edge Weekly for three months in its desperate attempt to cover up the 1MDB scandal.

Counterproductively, the shooting of the messenger only serves to convince the thinking rakyat that the message is authentic.

GBM is appalled at the three excuses given by the Government to justify the suspension, namely:

• negative reporting of the government,
• doubtful and unverified information, and
• inappropriate reporting amidst an ongoing investigation

GBM notes and emphasises that:

• the media is the public’s watchdog, informing the public about the goings-on in the nation;
• the suspension of The Edge breaches press and media freedom;
• to date none of The Edge’s revelations has been refuted;
• the government can promptly refute any misinformation and update the public;
• the suspension of The Edge, preceded by the blocking of the Sarawak Report website, and the travel ban on parliamentarians and political activists raises the fear that the government may attempt a replay of “Operasi Lalang”.

GBM calls upon:

• the government to rescind its suspension order and unblock access to Sarawak Report;
• the government to not even contemplate a replay of the draconian “Operasi Lalang”;
• all Malaysians to stand by The Edge Media Group which undertook its national duty to expose fraudulent attempts to siphon our public funds;
• all Malaysians to support the brave media owners, editors and journalists publicly, such as supporting the following actions initiated by the media fraternity: attending the show of solidarity at The Edge Office, 31 July 2015, 3.00pm, attending a rally on 8 August, and participating in #AtTheEdge social media campaign, and financially through subscriptions to and advertisements in their publications.

This statement is endorsed by the following member organisations of Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia:

1. All Women’s Action Society (Awam)
2. Anak Muda Sarawak (AMS)
3. Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
4. Japan Graduates Association,Malaysia (Jagam)
5. Kumpulan Aktivis Mahasiswa Independen (Kami)
6. LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLG)
7. Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF)
8. National Indian Rights Action Team (Niat)
9. Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall (NSCAH)
10. Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran)
11. Persatuan Bekas Siswazah Universiti dan Kolej di China, Malaysia (LiuHua)
12. Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (Ikram)
13. Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat (Komas)
14. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM)
15. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram)
16. Tamil Foundation Malaysia (TF)
17. The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)
18. United Chinese School Alumni Associations of Malaysia (UCSAAM)

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

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