Azam Baki ‘serves’ investigative journalist over damning articles

KUALA LUMPUR – An investigative journalist has been served a Letter of Demand (LoD) by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki over several reports she wrote last month alleging wrongdoing on Azam’s part.

Lalitha Kunaratnam, whose reports alleging Azam’s abuses were published on the Independent News Service (INS) news portal, shared on her Twitter account the LoD served to her by legal firm Zain Megat and Murad on behalf of Azam.

“I have received a Letter of Demand from @SPRMMalaysia chief commissioner,” read her short caption.

The post was accompanied with a scanned copy of the first page of the LoD, which states its intention for her to “cease and desist”.

Lalitha’s reports on INS titled Business Ties Among MACC Leadership: How Deep Does It Go? is a two-part series detailing Azam’s alleged abuses, and his supposed ties and ownership details within several public-listed companies.

Ironically, Lalitha had tweeted last night an open challenge to Azam for legal action to be taken against her, after the latter mentioned in his press conference how he intends to take legal action against those issuing statements deemed defamatory to him.

“If KP (chief commissioner) wants to sue me for my articles, I would say bring it on since I have tons (sic) of stories to share. Suing me is akin to washing his dirty laundry in public,” she tweeted.

The latest development comes as the Securities Commission today said it would be seeking explanations from all parties involved in the debacle MACC currently faces. – The Vibes, January 6, 2022