The Edge claims ‘pro-Jho Low’ blogger behind attacks on owner

(Malay Mail Online) – The Edge today “exposed” a “pro-Jho Low” blogger as the source of allegations that its owner, Datuk Tong Kooi Ong, is speculating against the ringgit, and claimed the campaign was related to his media empire’s “criticism” of 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

The business newspaper further alleged that the blogger, whom it identified only by the user name “ahrily90”, was also behind other anonymous blogs attacking former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and CIMB chairman Datuk Seri Nazik Razak, both of whom it identified as critics of 1MDB.

The article titled “EXPOSED! Pro-Jho Low blogger behind attacks on Dr M, Nazir and Edge owner Tong” and that was also published on The Malaysian Insider, tied the blogger to the flamboyant billionaire through other blogs that it said carried positive articles on his philanthropy.

The paper subsequently inferred Jho Low’s ties to 1MDB via his previous involvement in the state investment arm’s predecessor, the Terengganu Investment Authority.

Tong, the owner of The Edge Media Group that recently acquired The Malaysian Insider, last month became the target of allegations that he was betting against the ringgit with a US$1.4 billion short against the Malaysian currency.

Shorting refers to the practice of pre-selling a currency or stock ahead of purchasing them, with the objective of turning a profit when the said currency is later acquired when its value has fallen.

The blogs claimed that he was aiming to profit by devaluing the ringgit at the expense of the rest of the country, drawing parallels with former currency speculator George Soros who targeted the ringgit during the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.

He later denied that he was involved in such activity and pledge to sue those accusing him of the “economic sabotage”.