MALAYSIAN Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki should not be suing journalists over the issue of his controversial shareholdings, Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim said. 

The former chairman of the MACC anti-corruption advisory board said Azam should instead work to clear his name.

“I don’t think he should sue anyone. 

“He should welcome a full investigation to clear not only his name but the name of MACC. A man in his position with nothing to hide should welcome a full investigation. 

“He must be an open book and transparent. In that way, once and for all, he can clear his name,” Tunku Aziz told The Malaysian Insight.

Azam came under suspicion of corruption after it was revealed that he had acquired 2.15 million shares in Excel Force MSC Bhd and 3 million shares in Gets Global Bhd in 2015 and and 2016 and that he might not have declared his shareholdings.

He has denied wrongdoing, saying the shares were bought with his trading account by his brother.

Following calls for action to be taken against him, the police and the Securities Commission (SC) have opened investigations into the case.

Last week, Azam filed a defamation suit against journalist Lalitha Kunaratnam, demanding RM10 million in damages and a public apology for two articles she had written last year about his assets.

Azam also wants an injunction to stop Lalitha and others associated with her from repeating the allegations.

Tunku Aziz, who was special adviser to former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, said someone in Azam’s position should not be tainted by scandal.

“This is all the more serious because the man we are talking about is not an ordinary civil servant. He (must be a) pillar of integrity. 

“Someone in his position should be as white as the driven snow and should completely above suspicion. 

“My view of him is that, even if everything was done legally, his professional judgment is highly suspicious.

“Because in a position like that, you must not do anything that will give anyone an opportunity to raise any doubt about your personal or professional integrity,” he said. 

Azam has said he will not resign unless ordered to do so by the king. – January 17, 2022.