KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Sri Tommy Thomas has been served a show-cause letter demanding the retraction of certain statements in his new book, My Story: Justice in the Wilderness.
The former attorney-general was served the letter of demand (LOD) by law firm Shafee & Co on behalf of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
According to documents sighted by The Vibes, Thomas allegedly made defamatory statements concerning the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder investigation and trial.
Two police personnel, namely Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar from the Special Action Unit, have been sentenced to death over the Mongolian translator’s killing.
However, Sirul has fled to Australia.
In his book, Thomas said the Attorney-General’s Chambers received a statutory declaration affirmed by Azilah, saying he received orders from Najib to eliminate Altantuya, as she was allegedly an international spy.
The former AG said he sent a deputy public prosecutor to interview Sirul, who purportedly corroborated Azilah’s confession.
“Their joint version was credible, particularly taking into consideration that they were incarcerated in different detention centres in two countries, with no means of contacting each other. I was satisfied they were truthful.
“It was later brought to my attention that Sirul had previously stated that he was ordered to kill a foreign spy.”
According to the LOD, the statements made in the book infer Thomas’ belief towards Najib’s implication in the murder, saying such statements are “grossly negligent, reckless, irresponsible, deliberate, malicious, and aimed to lower our client’s esteem and good reputation”.
It also demanded an immediate and unequivocal public retraction of the statements, as well as an apology and RM10 million in damages for the injury caused to Najib’s reputation, in addition to legal costs incurred.
The Vibes has contacted Shafee & Co to determine the legitimacy of the LOD, but a spokesman only replied: “No comment.” – The Vibes, February 2, 2021
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