Tommy Thomas reported for his first day of work today as Attorney-General (A-G) after receiving his appointment letter this morning.
Calling himself a “guardian of the public interest”, the new A-G said he took up the job because it was part of “national service”
Promised to do the right thing, tell the truth, do justice
Vowed to brush up on his Malay
Welcomes criticism from the public as it is part of free speech
Priorities:
1MDB, where no wrongdoers will be spared and there will be no cover-ups
Repeal oppressive laws
Study international obligations undertaken by the previous administration, such as contracts with other countries, to ascertain whether they were “lopsided” against the interests of Malaysia
Cease selective prosecution immediately so law-abiding citizens no longer need fear oppression from enforcement authorities.
Prosecute those who flout the law, regardless of their station in life
Remove public prosecutor’s role from the office of the A-G
Mukhriz Hazim
Wearing a black suit with a red tie, he arrived at the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) about 1.30pm today and was greeted by other colleagues.
Asked by reporters on when he received his appointment letter, he said it was dated June 4 and arrived at his old law firm last night.
“I think it was delivered to my office last night. This morning, 9am, I went to my old office and saw the letter.”
He said his last day would be on June 3, 2020.
As for whether he would have enough time to carry out reforms on laws and acts, he said “yes”.
“Of course. This is the law and after that, someone else can take over.
“We are planning to reform 60 years’ of laws. It will be a long process.
“We are expecting cooperation from all, particularly the Bar, NGOs and the public,” he said.
Asked about his reasons for taking up the job, he said it was part of “national service”.
“When the call was made, I was thrilled and honoured. I will try to carry out reforms. Someone has to direct the reform of laws as part of the government.
“Our mantra is reforming the AGC to assist the prime minister elected by the people four weeks ago.”
Thomas said that as a “guardian of the public interest”, he will take into account the interests and the concerns of the public generally and not be confined to the interests of the executive.
“Conflicts of interests shall cease. Integrity shall be a priority. I shall discharge my duty honestly, fairly, freely, independently and to the best of my abilities,” he said.
1MDB
The new A-G said that all matters pertaining to 1MDB are the immediate priority of the Government.
Bernama
“I have to study the papers in that scandal. We shall institute criminal and civil proceedings in our courts against the alleged wrongdoers. All are equal before the law and no one will be spared. There will be no cover-up,” he said.
Thomas added that the AGC will contact its counterparts in the United States, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Singapore and other countries to extend its full cooperation and assistance to them in all matters related to the scandal.
Repeal oppressive laws, study international obligations
He said his other immediate priorities include looking to repeal oppressive laws.
Mukhriz Hazim
“The list of such laws is pretty long and chambers have to take steps to repeal them, either in whole or in part, on an urgent basis,” he said.
Thomas said the Prime Minister has already announced the end of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as well as the Anti-Fake News law, which are in the list that the AGC will look at.
He said the AGC will also study independently the international obligations undertaken by the previous Barisan Nasional administrations, such as contracts with other countries.
“This is to ascertain if they are lopsided against Malaysia’s interests,” he added.
Cease selective prosecution, separation of roles
Selective prosecution will also cease immediately, said Thomas, and law-abiding citizens no longer need fear oppression from enforcement authorities.
“Those who commit no wrong have nothing to fear. Malaysia is a free country. We should not fear the midnight knock of the policeman,” Thomas said.
“For those who flout the law, (they) will be met with the full force of the law regardless of their station in life.
Bernama
“On my part, I promise to do the right thing, that is, to tell the truth and to do justice. Justice must not only be done but it must be seen to be done,” he said.
Thomas said he supported the proposal for the public prosecutor’s role to be removed from the office of the A-G.
Currently, the A-G is both the government’s most senior legal adviser and prosecutor, which could be conflicting duties if he must pursue a member of the government such as the prime minister.
Thomas said he already held views in favour of separating the roles since he had been in the Bar Council previously.
“The Bar, of which I just ceased to be a member, has taken that position for decades and has pushed for separation of the public prosecutor’s office and functions from the A-G.
“That is my personal opinion, which is consistent with the Bar,” he said.
He conceded the process would need time as well as the guidance and support of his staff.
However, he stressed that this was among his objectives.
“I am very happy that the reforming government whom I now serve, has adopted that and we will work towards that,” he said.
Public criticisms, Bahasa Malaysia, Apandi Ali
When asked about opinions and remarks insisting he was not suitable or qualified to assume the role of A-G due to his ethnicity, among others, he said he was unaffected by the remarks.
“There’s absolutely nothing in it, in fact, I would rather listen to criticism then praises and good things.
“Absolutely no problem, please carry on, because if you value free speech you must criticise,” he reiterated.
Thomas has promised to brush up on his Malay.
He said after being in the private service for 42 years, he has not been using Bahasa Malaysia as much as he should.
When asked if he would carry out his duty impartially and to comment on the alleged bias of his predecessor, Thomas said it was not his place to judge Tan Sri Apandi Ali.
“I cannot comment on my predecessor but I have already had meetings with the prime minister and he has given me a free hand in the (AG’s) chambers.
“I can comment on what I will do, where I will apply my work without interference,” he clarified.
On whether he would initiate investigations on Apandi over the latter’s handling of 1MDB, Thomas said he will approach the issue with an open mind.
“Don’t forget I am (an) outsider, all I know is what I read in the public domain and I have no access to any government documents.
“I am happy to study them (the documents), I have got to with an open mind,” he said.
