MALAYSIAN Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki threatening a researcher over revelations about his financial dealings is unjustified, an anti-corruption watchdog said.

The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) said it is outraged that Azam, who is tasked with protecting people who speak up about suspected corruption, is himself threatening someone with legal action for revealing his alleged wrongdoings.

C4 was referring to the letter of demand served to researcher Lalitha Kunaratnam, who wrote reports on Azam’s controversial share dealings in 2015 and 2016.

“Azam’s attempt to silence her smacks of grave intimidation and fear tactics completely unbecoming of a top graft buster,” C4 said in a statement.

Yesterday, Lalitha said she was served with the notice to cease and desist by law firm Zain Megat and Murad, who was acting for Azam.

“I have received a letter of demand from the MACC chief commissioner. Thanks,” the anti-corruption activist said on Twitter, attaching the first page of the notice.

She had written a two-part article – Business ties among MACC leadership: How deep does it go? Part 1 and 2 – published on the Independent News Service website.

C4 said the letter was served in connection with her articles detailing Azam’s questionable ownership of millions of shares in two publicly listed companies.

“Lalitha is a Malaysian anti-corruption advocate whose integrity and evidence-based journalism has earned her numerous plaudits. Her findings in this case were backed by publicly accessible documents.”

C4 said the exposé and Azam’s hostile response serve as yet another devastating blow to the credibility of the MACC, an institution already wracked by corruption and criminal scandals involving its own officers.

“His legal threats upon a notable anti-corruption campaigner also reinforces the huge personal risk that people face when exposing wrongdoing.

“It is the cruellest irony that it is Azam of all people. He should be assisting Lalitha to obtain whistle-blower protection.

“The principles of transparency and accountability espoused by MACC have all crumbled to ashes with this tragic episode, which will take trust deficits to an all-time low.”

C4 said the only right cause of action for Azam now is to immediately withdraw his letter and prove to the public that the MACC genuinely advocates whistle-blower protection.

They said that Azam must cease threatening people and, amid mounting criticism, declare his assets at once.

“Furthermore, in light of the statement by the Securities Commission that it will be calling Azam in for questioning, he must immediately go on leave until all investigations into his actions are complete.

“Heading an anti-corruption commission, Azam has by his actions so far, failed miserably to lead by example and has sent out the wrong message.”

C4 also urged Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to set up an independent special task force to investigate the affair without delay.

“The investigation must be done transparently and the full findings of the task force made public.

“Azam should be told to go on leave immediately to allow a thorough and impartial investigation to be carried out to ascertain the truth of the allegations.”

C4 also said a special committee should be set up immediately to implement the long overdue reforms to the MACC, in particular amending the Federal Constitution to establish an independent anti-corruption commission, free from executive influence.

C4, along with the Malaysian Bar, Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs, Transparency International Malaysia, and Citizens’ Network for a Better Malaysia, made this call in a memorandum published in 2015, at the request of the MACC.

The anti-graft watchdog also wants another committee to revamp the MACC’s advisory boards and panels, which it said have failed in their duties to properly investigate the concerns raised by Edmund Terence Gomez before he resigned due to their inaction.

Azam has been under scrutiny following allegations that he owned millions worth of shares in two public listed companies.

His lawyers are demanding that Lalitha apologise for the reports, issue a public apology, and pay RM10 million in damages.

Lalitha was also the researcher who wrote the information that former MACC consultation and corruption prevention panel member Gomez had urged panel chairman Borhan Dolah and the MACC’s Anti-Corruption Advisory Board chairman Abu Zahar Ujang to take action.

Abu Zahar cleared Azam of any wrongdoing, while the chief commissioner told the media he had allowed his brother, Nasir, to use his trading account to purchase shares from two companies.

He said the shares were later transferred to Nasir.

The Securities Commission yesterday announced that Azam and others will be interviewed to explain their part in the incident. – January 7, 2022.