The general perception is that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is responsible for the three-month suspension slapped on The Edge publications.
However, PAS lawmaker Mahfuz Omar believes this may not be the case.
There is speculation, Mahfiz claimed in a press statement today, that the suspension by the Home Ministry under Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is a "political conspiracy" by Umno leaders who are no longer able to defend or protect the prime minister.
"The suspension is seen as giving an impact to public perception that what was reported on 1MDB involving Najib is true.
"The two publications were also suspended with the aim of pressuring Najib to vacate the post of prime minister," Mahfuz ( photo ) said.
Since many among the Umno-BN leadership lack the courage to be frank with Najib, hence this move was set in motion to pressure him and anger the people.
"Whether or not Najib will bow to this pressure depends on the extent to which the special task force set up to investigate the 1MDB allegations can free itself of the prime minister's influence.
"If the task force can be 'bought' by Najib, then he would manage to hold on for a short period of time. But the task will come under intense criticism from Malaysians and the agencies involved will suffer a crisis of confidence.
"Let us wait for the next episode," Mahfuz added.
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin took a hard swipe at Najib over the 1MDB issue.
The printing permits for The Edge Financial Daily and Edge Weekly were frozen after the Home Ministry accused the publications of producing material "prejudicial or likely to be prejudicial to public order, security or likely to alarm public opinion or is likely to be prejudicial to public and national interest".
The Edge Media Group owner Tong Kooi Ong and publisher Ho Kay Tat are being investigated under Section 124 of the Penal Code for allegedly engaging in activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
Related reports
Utusan blackouts Muhyiddin's fiery speech
Muhyiddin dubs 1MDB a 'sovereign debt fund'
DPM: I read The Edge and was scolded
Najib ignores my advice on 1MDB, says Muhyiddin
PAS to Muhyiddin: Turn your words into action
Muhyiddin: If GE14 held soon, Umno will lose
Najib's only response on 1MDB scandal: Okay lah
Company owner in 1MDB probe released on bail
DPM slams Umno media attacks on Dr M
Join our mass protest over Edge suspension
It’s Najib who has to apologise, not Edge
Zahid, some M’sians may be extradited to UK instead
'They can't even get Sirul, they want Rewcastle?'
Is Umno the ‘last straw’ for Najib?
The ethics of cheating to obtain stolen docs
