Mca Wants Azam To Withdraw Letter Of Demand Against Journalist

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MCA has called for MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki to cease taking legal action against journalist Lalita Kunaratnam over two articles she wrote on his share ownership in two public listed companies.
Party spokesperson Chan Quin Er (above) said slapping the whistleblower with a legal suit will only reflect poorly on Azam.
"(Withdrawing the letter of demand) in the interest of transparency and public accountability will prove that as a high-ranking senior government servant, he has nothing to hide.
"Pursuing the letter of demand against the journalist will only reflect poorly on himself. 
"This inadvertently portrays the anti-corruption enforcement agency which he represents as vindictive, and flexing the muscles of the government machinery to assert undue pressure to silence anyone (in this case, a journalist) or issues of public interest," she said in a statement today. 
'Journalist just doing her job'
Chan pointed out that Lalita was only doing her job by reporting on public knowledge as all public listed companies must publish and submit their annual reports, listing their largest shareholders besides holding annual general meetings. 
"As society inevitably steers towards openness with demands for transparency from government agencies and public services, investigative journalism plays an important role in society and holds the government accountable. 
"Globally, the media is recognised as the fourth pillar of democracy, balancing the influence and keeping the executive, legislative and judiciary in check," she added. 
MACC chief commissioner Azam BakiChan said that Azam has the opportunity to clear his name when he meets with the Securities Commission (SC). 
"As the SC will be calling Azam to explain his statements on the purchase of shares using his account allegedly by his younger brother, this would be an opportunity for Azam to clear his name and quell any doubts.
"If MACC is perceived as shrouding any questionable transactions or even wrongdoings into secrecy, the good work executed by other MACC staff in bringing corrupt practices to book will all be invalidated by this singular action," she added.
Azam issued a letter of demand to Lalitha over two articles for allegedly buying millions of shares in 2015.
He demanded Lalitha to apologise in two weeks and pay RM10 million in damages for tarnishing his reputation.
Azam came under intense scrutiny after allegations surfaced about him having owned shares in two companies back in 2015.
According to Excel Force Bhd’s 2015 annual report, Azam owned 2,156,000 warrants in the company as of March 21, 2016. At the time, Azam was the head of MACC’s investigation division. - Mkini

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