Police call in Azam Baki whistleblower for questioning

SHAH ALAM: Police have called whistleblower Lalitha Kunaratnam for questioning over the articles she wrote on MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki and his shares.

Lalitha confirmed on Monday (Jan 31) that she was contacted by police.

"Yes, correct (i have been called to Bukit Aman). This Thursday at around 2.30pm," she told Sinar Harian.

Earlier, Azam filed a defamation suit against Lalitha for articles she wrote on the share trading issue which were published on Oct 25 and Dec 15.

In a press conference on Jan 5, Azam had said he took a serious view of the allegations against him, saying that they were false and malicious.

"As advised by my solicitors, I am now compelled to initiate legal proceedings against Ms Lalitha Kunaratnam," he told the press conference.

However, Lalitha, through her lawyer Manjeet Singh Dillon, responded on Jan 9 saying that she stood by her articles.

"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," said Manjeet.

He added that the MACC must have no role in independent investigations of the matter, citing a police report by MACC assistant commissioner Mohan Munusamy on Jan 8.