Transparency International Malaysia (TI) is enveloped in a war of words bordering on 'dementia' and keeping with the organization's aim, the heated exchange has been made public.

It's former president Param Cumaraswamy, who quit the organization early this week, has slammed secretary-general Prof Mehrun Siraj over her e-mail which he claimed was 'outrageous and offensive' as well as implying that he had a mental problem.

In an open letter sent via email to all TI members yesterday, Param included his exchange of emails with Mehrun and deputy president Lee Chon San to explain why he had resigned.

In the letter, a copy of which was made available to malaysiakini, he said the catalyst was an email from Mehrun to him on Jan 25.

The email was sent in response to Param's query as to why the third TI Malaysia newsletter was prepared and printed without his knowledge.

Mehrun had allegedly said the former president should consult a neurologist due to his 'worsening memory loss condition'.

"May I suggest that you consult a neurologist immediately to start medication because this condition tends to deteriorate to dementia very fast.

"Besides, it is becoming very tiresome for people who have to work with you when you constantly forget things, deny that you said things that were definitely said and, of late, insisting that you said things that you did not," she had allegedly added.

'Outrageous conduct'

Following his strongly-worded resignation letter on Monday, which pinpointed Mehrun as the main reason for his decision, Param, in his email yesterday, continued the tirade.

"Would any of you tolerate such an outrageous conduct from anyone leave alone someone holding a high office in an organization like ours?

"The president seeking legitimate information from within could lead to such scurrilous response from the secretary-general does not speak well for transparency and accountability which we are committed to promote in the outside world," he said.

Param also said that he had not alluded to some of the other 'virulent, scurrilous and defamatory notes' that Mehrun had allegedly wrote recently.

Param also revealed that he waited for the minutes of the 9th Exco meeting, from which he was absent due to the 'offensive' email from Mehrun, and that he had initially thought of tendering his resignation at the annual general meet (AGM) in March.

The exco meeting was chaired by deputy president Lee.

"The minutes were not forthcoming. But the calls from the secretary-general and (exco member) Anwar Fazal and even the deputy president questioning my integrity and honour over my resignation were unbelievable," he said.

Contacted yesterday, Param, who was the former UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, refused to speak about the letter while Mehrun could not be reached for comment despite numerous attempts.

Hold EGM

The internal tussle in the 10-year-old corruption watchdog came to the fore when Param tendered his resignation, a few days after Lee decided to quit as deputy president.

Lee, who cited differences with Param as the reason, had retracted his resignation on Tuesday, a day after the president quit.

Meanwhile, TI Malaysia exco member Josie Fernandez said eight members including three on the exco want an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to be held to resolve the crisis

"This is the only way to resolve the crisis to ensure transparency. The EGM can set up a committee to look at the crisis and make recommendations," she said when contacted.

Under TI Malaysia's constitution, an EGM could be called if a request is made in writing to the secretary by no less than 15 members.