KUALA LUMPUR – Police today confirmed that seven reports have been lodged against former attorney-general (AG) Tan Sri Tommy Thomas over his latest book.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the reports have prompted authorities to open two investigation papers into the book titled, My Story: Justice in the Wilderness.
It was also reported that the book might be banned by the Home Ministry.
Sources said a report has been submitted to Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, adding that it is his call on whether to ban the publication.
Thomas’ book has been ruffling feathers since it was made available last weekend.
Among those who did not take kindly to the contents of the book are former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who slammed Thomas for claiming that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong wanted to appoint Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as interim prime minister following the “Sheraton Move” last February.
Today, AG Tan Sri Idrus Harun said the book reflects Thomas as a shallow-thinking person who does not understand the functions of an AG.
He said the publication has negatively impacted, especially from the public’s point of view, the AG’s Chambers, and affected the morale and spirit of officers.
Thomas’ predecessor, Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, has also lodged a report over the contents of the book.
Apandi, who filed the report at the Sentul police headquarters at 3pm yesterday, told reporters that the book has baseless attacks and accusations against him.
“I have studied the contents of the book, and found that it generally contains baseless attacks and accusations.
“I also found that the book contains criminal slander against me, especially on page 199.”
Yesterday, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Thomas had broken his oath to guard and keep government secrets at all times, even if he no longer held the post.
Meanwhile, former CIMB Group Holdings Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Nazir Razak expressed his regret over the contents of Thomas’ book, specifically on a chapter dealing with the racial riots of May 13, 1969, which appears to implicate his father, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.
In an Instagram post, Nazir pointed to the sixth chapter, where Thomas writes that “the evidence points to a coup by Tun Razak”.
“This is pure conjecture on his part. Fifty years on, and not a shred of credible evidence has emerged to support this view.”
On Wednesday, Selangor police said Thomas will be called in for questioning following a report against him.
This came after former senior deputy public prosecutor Datuk Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria on Tuesday lodged a report, alleging that Thomas defamed him and tarnished his reputation.
According to the report, Hanafiah wants the matter to be investigated under Section 499 of the Penal Code for defamation against him, other AG’s Chambers officers and the public law firm.
In his book, Thomas said Hanafiah is incapable of leading and supervising the incredible amount of preparation required for the SRC International Sdn Bhd trial, saying he is more comfortable performing administrative duties. – The Vibes, February 5, 2021
