Oct 13 hearing for Home Ministry's stay application

The Home Ministry's application to stay the High Court's decision to quash its suspension order on two newspapers owned by The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd, has been fixed for hearing on Oct 13.

Justice Datuk Asmabi Mohamad set the date in chambers today, in which counsel Darryl Goon represented the company, while senior federal counsel Suzana Atan represented the ministry.

Suzana told reporters that the ministry had applied for the stay pending disposal of its appeal filed on Sept 22 against the high court's decision.

She said the application for stay included the assessment of damages and costs awarded to the company.

"If the stay is not granted, the appeal will be rendered nugatory. That is the special circumstances which warrants a stay," she said.

On Sept 21, Asmabi quashed the decision of the Home Ministry to suspend the The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily for three months.

The judge ordered damages to be assessed besides awarding RM15,000 costs.

The Edge and The Edge Financial Daily were banned from publishing reports related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) on grounds that they could undermine public order and security, and in the interest of the country.