COMMENT | NST reports that MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki has, via his solicitors, sought RM100 million in damages from Bloomberg for an alleged injury to his reputation and professional standing.

The whole fiasco reared its ugly head when Bloomberg first reported Azam’s ownership of 17.7 million shares in financial services firm Velocity Capital Partner Bhd.

In the meantime, Bloomberg defended its published article. In responding to The Edge, a spokesperson of Bloomberg confidently said “We stand by our reporting”, suggesting they are prepared for a legal battle rather than a retraction.

In other words, Bloomberg is more than ready to face Azam in court. Whether Azam is equally ready to finally litigate this case in court is anybody’s guess.

Azam’s cause of action against Bloomberg rests on a tort of defamation. And a libel suit is essentially about the protection of one’s image and reputation. Azam believes Bloomberg’s report has severely besmirched his good name. Hence, he may want to savour his vindication in a court of law.

Whenever I represent a client who seeks to claim damages for libel...