Anti-graft activist stands by articles on MACC chief, says lawyer

PETALING JAYA: Anti-graft activist Lalitha Kunaratnam is standing by her series of articles about Tan Sri Azam Baki on the share trading issue, says her lawyer Manjeet Singh Dhillon.

“Notwithstanding the letter of demand, Lalitha stands by the articles she wrote and their contents and reiterates that the analysis therein is based on facts and information contained in, inter alia, the database of public records, regulatory reports and corporate financial filings," he said on Sunday (Jan 9).

Manjeet said the MACC must have no role in independent investigations of the matter, citing a police report by MACC assistant commissioner Mohan Munusamy on Saturday (Jan 8).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said that the government would allow investigations by the Securities Commission (SC) to be completed before it decides to take any action.

Azam had served Lalitha with a letter of demand last week over the series of articles published on portal Independent News Services (INS) and also demanded a public apology.

Speaking about the issue on Wednesday (Jan 5), Azam said his brother had used his trading account to buy shares in the open market and financed the purchases on his own.

It involved substantial amounts of shares bought from Gets Global Bhd and Excel Force MSC Bhd between 2015 and 2016 when Azam was the MACC director of investigations.

Azam said the same explanation was given to the MACC’s Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) after he was summoned to explain the matter on Nov 24.

Azam also maintained that he did not commit any wrongdoing, adding that action will be taken against those who tarnished his reputation and that of the MACC.