For the first charge, Azam Aris was charged with allegedly defaming Kua Khai Shyuan and DGB Asia Berhad in an article published in The Edge on Sept 21, 2020.

For the other charge, Azam and contributing editor Shanmugam Murugasu, who was not in court, allegedly defamed Kua, DGB, Trive Property Group Bhd, Metronic Global Bhd and MNC Wireless Bhd in another article published on April 12 last year.

The charges were framed under Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation, which carries a maximum two-year jail sentence or a fine or both.

Magistrate Nurshahira Salim presided over the first case while fellow magistrate Zhafran Rahim Hamzah heard the second case.

Nurshahira granted Azam bail at RM500, while Zhafran allowed bail of RM2,500. Both magistrates set Nov 22 for case mention.

According to a report by The Edge, Shanmugam was not in court as he was not in the country. The financial daily reported that the charges involved two reports on penny stocks.

Deputy public prosecutor Farhanah Fuad Faiz acted for the prosecution while the defendants were represented by Rajsurian Pillai.