KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 1): The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has lauded The Edge Malaysia for its significant contribution to the Malaysian media landscape over the past three decades.
The Selangor ruler said that The Edge has been a vital part of Selangor’s media ecosystem since it hit the streets on Sept 5, 1994, in the state.
He considered The Edge 'anak Selangor' as it has always operated in Petaling Jaya, and its founder and chairman Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong is from the royal town of Klang.
“After being printed for 30 years, I'm proud to say that The Edge is still going strong, earning respect and trust from many readers and subscribers,” Sultan Sharafuddin said in his speech at the launch of The Edge's book, Behind the Stories, in conjunction with the publication's 30th anniversary.
He commended the publication for its unwavering commitment to quality journalism and its role in providing truth and fair journalism in the face of misinformation and fake news.
“An independent media like The Edge is even more important today than in the past,” he said. “We need trusted, credible, independent media which is also financially sustainable or it cannot be credible and independent otherwise,” the Selangor Sultan said.
He also expressed his admiration for the publication's 30-year journey which was written in the Behind the Stories book that sheds light on the challenges and motivations behind the publication's steadfast pursuit of credible and trustworthy reporting.
"The book offers a personal account of (The Edge chairman and owner) Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong’s struggles, including his role in exposing the 1MDB scandal," the Sultan said. "It provides valuable insights into the reasons that drove The Edge to take such a significant stand,” he added.
Behind the Stories was also jointly launched by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
Also present were former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam, Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz, and Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.