Cops quiz Azam Baki whistleblower

 

Whistleblower Lalitha Kunaratnam gave her statement at Bukit Aman today over two stories she wrote that blew open a shareholding scandal that implicated MACC chief Azam Baki.

She said she was being investigated under Section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 and Section 505 of the Penal Code.

"The police report was lodged by MACC's senior assistant commissioner on Jan 7, a day after I received the letter of demand on Jan 6. I was asked about 83 questions - all of them I have answered to my best capability," said Lalitha (above, left).

The activist was present at Bukit Aman from around 2.25pm.

While Lalitha expressed that being called in for another round of questioning was "probable", her lawyer Manjeet Singh Dhillon explained that the police did not explicitly say this would be the case.

"Let the police investigate the matter in accordance with the law. I mean, look, the law is the law. It will be properly investigated. I'm very confident the police will do a good job," he said.

Additionally, he denied that Lalitha was shaken by the experience.

"No, she's not shaken up. She did very well. I mean, she answered the questions well and completely. She is not shaken up. She is tired. I think you have to accept that three and a half hours is a long time to be sitting in front of the police," said Manjeet.

On Jan 31, Lalitha was asked to be present at Bukit Aman over two stories she wrote that blew open a shareholding scandal that implicated MACC chief Azam Baki.

MACC chief suing Lalitha

Earlier this month, Lalitha officially responded in court against Azam's defamation suit linked to the issue of share ownership in two public-listed companies.

The activist's lawyers filed a memorandum of appearance at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Friday last week (Jan 21).

According to a copy of the court document sighted by Malaysiakini, counsel from law firm Ibrahim & Fuaadah filed the appearance on Lalitha's behalf, with the filing addressed to the court's senior assistant registrar.

Under civil action law in Malaysia, the filing of the memorandum of appearance means the defendant intends to respond to the lawsuit, such as by later filing a statement of defence.

The MACC chief commissioner is suing Lalitha in his personal capacity.

Azam had previously issued a letter of demand to Lalitha via his lawyers, demanding an apology and RM10 million in damages.

Lalitha has since said she stood by her reports and criticised the MACC's attempt to rope in the police to investigate her.

Azam came under the spotlight over his ownership of 1,930,000 shares in Gets Global Berhad (previously KBES Berhad) on April 30, 2015, worth around RM772,000 at the time.

His shareholding in Gets Global Berhad went down to 1,029,500 as of March 31, 2016, worth around RM340,000 at the time.

He also held 2,156,000 warrants in Excel Force MSC Berhad in March 2016.

The matter of his share ownership in 2015 and 2016 had raised questions on whether it was commensurate with his income as a public servant. - Mkini