Lawyer K Saraswathy who claimed to have submitted several documents to the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) in 2004 to allegedly facilitate its investigation regarding the Maika Holdings shares issue wants to know why her identity was leaked.

At the MIC general assembly over the weekend, party president S Samy Vellu told those present that a 'woman has been writing complaints against me to the ACA'.

The veteran politician - who is also works minister - identified the person as a lawyer based in Kuala Lumpur but did not reveal her name.

"How did he know my identity?" is the questioned posed by Saraswathy who claimed that the party president was referring to her.

In a letter ( see below ) to newly appointed ACA director-general Ahmad Said Hamdan yesterday, the lawyer asked for an explanation as to how this information had leaked.

"The ACA client's charter states that the identity of those who provide information will be protected," she said in the letter, a copy of which was faxed to malaysiakini .

"The agency also has a code of ethics to keep confidential departmental matters," she added.

In the three-page letter, Saraswathy said a breach of these pledges will undermine the integrity of the ACA and affect public confidence in the agency.

"The ACA is not only entrusted with eradicating corruption but is also responsible for convincing the public about its resolve to fight the menace.

"But those who heard Samy Vellu's speech (at the MIC meet), where he had revealed information that were supposed to be classified, will perceive the ACA as a puppet of those in power," she said.

Case not closed

Saraswathy also questioned Ahmad Said on the status of the ACA investigation regarding the allocation of 10 million Telekom shares to Maika Holdings - the investment arm of MIC.

"I want to know if Samy Vellu had been quizzed following the various complaints filed against him?" she said.

In her letter, Saraswathy also revealed that she had submitted oral and written information to the ACA headquarters in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur regarding this matter.

She also disputed Samy Vellu's statement that the ACA had cleared him of the allegations.

Contacted today, Saraswathy said the 71-year-old MIC president must answer the allegations against him.

"He must answer to the complaints and not go after those who file the complaints. He is setting a very bad precedent for his successor," she added.

Saraswathy also denied writing numerous letters to the ACA regarding the Maika Holdings issue as alleged by Samy Vellu.

"Although he did not mention my name (at the MIC meet), he said I was a lawyer based in Kuala Lumpur and people knew it was me.

"Many called me and advised me to be careful. However, I have not received any threats," said the lawyer.

The MIC president had repeatedly stated that the case against him was closed. On one ocassion, he had also read out an ACA report on this.

ACA chief Ahmad Said could not be reached for comment.