The Judicial and Legal Service Officers’ Association (JALSOA) today strongly objected to Tan Sri Tommy Thomas’ writings on legal officers in the Attorney-General’s Chambers in his memoir entitled “My Story: Justice in The Wilderness”, saying the remarks insulted its members.
The JALSOA Executive Committee in a statement today said the former Attorney-General’s criticisms saying legal officers in the A-G Chambers as government lawyers who were just working for a monthly salary and pension and carrying out administrative work, were malicious and even insulting.
“Tan Sri Tommy Thomas’ views are most uncivilised and reflect his shallowness of thought.
“Tan Sri Tommy Thomas labelled legal officers in the Attorney General’s Chambers as government officers who only await their monthly salaries and await for their pensions after retirement, and only carry out administrative duties. This is a malicious statement, and in fact, it insults legal officers as a whole. Jalsoa is very disappointed and affected by his statements.
“The legal officers, regardless of those placed in the Attorney General’s Chambers or in courts, always carry out the trust entrusted to them in accordance with the laws, regardless of who is the attorney general or the ruling government,” the statement read further.
It said Thomas formed the perception based on his own failure to lead the AGC and to understand the civil service.
Thomas served as the chief of legal staff in his former role as A-G.
However, his statements show he has misconstrued the role of government legal officers.
Legal officers in the AGC and in courts have always fulfilled their roles and duties regardless of who the AG and government of the day were, said JALSOA.
“The challenges, trying times and pressure faced by a legal officer in carrying out their duty not only leave an implication on individuals and clients but also the interest of the country and the citizens in upholding the sovereignty of the law,” it said.
JALSOA said Thomas should take care of the dignity and good reputation of the A-G’s role which he once held, the legal institution and civil service as per the provisions of the federal constitution.
The legal fraternity has been critical of “My Story: Justice in the Wilderness” since its release.
Former solicitor-general III Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria, who worked in the ACG, lodged a police report against Thomas for tarnishing his reputation in the memoir.
He is urging the police to investigate Thomas for alleging that he was incapable of prosecuting former prime minister Najib Razak for corruption in the SRC International case.
Related reports:
Feb 3, Ex-solicitor-general lodges report against Thomas over unflattering comments
Feb 2, Najib seeks apology, RM10 million from Tommy Thomas
Feb 2, Tommy Thomas: Government lawyers lack drive to excel
Feb 1, Sri Ram: Thomas’ disclosures not bound by lawyer-client privilege
Feb 1, Tommy Thomas: UAE prince lobbied Dr M to drop IPIC case in London
Feb 1, Tommy Thomas: Sirul’s evidence corroborated Azilah’s “shoot to kill” Altantuya claim
Feb 1, Tommy Thomas wanted bounty on Jho Low
Feb 1, Tommy Thomas: Coroner’s decision on Adib mind-boggling, defied police evidence
Feb 1, In memoir, Tommy Thomas says Nurul Izzah expressed family’s distrust of Dr M in 2016
Jan 31, Tommy Thomas: Dr Mahathir not keen on expelling Zakir Naik
Jan 30, Report: Tommy Thomas’ explosive memoir blames Mahathir for the implosion of PH
Jan 26, When Tommy Thomas came within a breath of not being A-G