Azam said earlier on Friday that he was willing to be investigated amid calls for him to step down, adding that he had “nothing to hide” as all his financial and asset declarations have been made according to public service laws.
“I am confident that the truth will prevail through a fair and independent process,” he said in a statement.
Local news outlet New Straits Times had previously reported him as calling Bloomberg’s report on Tuesday malicious and misleading, saying that he had declared to the public service department the shares, which he said he had bought last year and disposed of in the same year.
Bernama reported on Thursday night that Azam has commenced legal action against Bloomberg over its report on his share purchases, with his lawyers from Messrs Zain Megat & Murad sending a letter of demand to its offices in the United States and in Malaysia.
The Bloomberg report has prompted opposition lawmakers and civil society groups to renew demands for Azam’s resignation and call for major reforms to the anti-graft agency, including the removal of the prime minister’s power to appoint the MACC chief.
Bloomberg has said it stands by its reporting, according to the New Straits Times.
In another report on Thursday, Bloomberg said the MACC officials were also helping a group of businessmen to seize control over companies, citing internal documents and interviews with witnesses.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-police-probes-bloomberg-article-azam-baki-macc-defamatory-5931311
