Azam Baki confirms being sued by Daim over 'improper procedure'

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that he was being sued by former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin.

Azam said the lawsuit filed by Daim alleged that his action as the anti-graft agency's chief did not follow proper procedure.

"I cannot disclose the information related to the case as it is now in court," he said citing a local news report, today.

He said this while appearing as a guest during a dialogue session entitled 'Integriti: Sejauh Mana Ketelusan Dinilai?' which was broadcast by a Sarawak government-owned television station, yesterday.

He said MACC was ready to investigate more high-profile cases including old cases if there were parties who came forward to channel relevant information.

"That's right... I may have been alive at that time, but I wasn't in the system then. (So now) action needs to be taken because it's my responsibility.

"Sometimes we don't have access to some information because the incident happened a long time ago. The new generation may not know," he said.

It was reported that Daim's legal team said Azam ignored court orders and kept making statements about the case involving the former finance minister and the ongoing legal matters.

According to the report, Azam's repeated statements about Daim were not only subjudice but also prejudice, because the judge has already given a warning about talking about the case.

The lawyer said Azam's statement, including on the possibility of calling Daim for questioning regarding alleged undisclosed assets was considered inappropriate given the existing charges pending in court.

He said the statement seemed as if Daim was guilty and had violated the principle of subjudice and even the citation of 'sources' worsened the situation.

On Jan 29, Daim pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to failing to declare his assets to MACC.