[UPDATED] Nurul Izzah blasts Hamzah for intimidating those tied to Tommy Thomas book probe

KUALA LUMPUR – Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar has slammed Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin for being high-handed in the investigation of the publication of My Story: Justice in the Wilderness written by former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas.

The PKR lawmaker said the continuous investigations by the government and police take the cake by summoning former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to the Bukit Aman police headquarters this afternoon.

“I stress to the ministers, especially the home minister, to please end this form of intimidation.

“Please stick to the focus points of the so-called Memorandum of Understanding (which was signed by the government and opposition) and prioritise the people’s problems,” she said in a press conference in front of Bukit Aman.

She was present to show solidarity with Dr Wan Azizah, who is also her mother, after the latter had her statement recorded.

Also present to show their support for the former women, family and community development minister were Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah, Wangsa Maju MP Datin Dr Tan Yew Kee, Kapar MP Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid and Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil.

In addition, she said she was voicing out in favour of close to 50 students, MPs and members of the public who are being intimidated just for participating in a peaceful rally against Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.

While understanding that police are only carrying out their responsibilities, Nurul Izzah said it is a misuse of government assets as the force should be utilised to solve the people’s problem.

“We understand that police are doing their job. But this is a form of intimidation that we cannot tolerate.

“Individuals involved in giving instructions should be held responsible, especially when it comes to this book or the investigation on the former AG.”

Meanwhile, lawyer and Selayang MP William Leong, who represented Wan Azizah, said his client is not being investigated, instead is only asked to assist investigations into Thomas’ controversial book.

Earlier, Wan Azizah arrived at the Bukit Aman IPD at 3.24pm in a black Toyota Vellfire.

Speaking at the same press conference, Wan Azizah said she was asked to answer several questions on the mention of her name in Thomas’ book.

“I received a message from the police to answer a few questions on the mention of my name in the book.

“I was asked to answer four questions pertaining to the investigation. It only took a while, but it was all on Tommy Thomas’ opinions.

“I couldn’t comment much because it’s his thoughts. I only answered based on facts.”

On December 23, a special task force investigating allegations made by Thomas in his book, held its first meeting in the federal capital.

The special team was set up to conduct a preliminary study of several allegations in the book, including the appointment of judges, excessive interference by the executive in the judiciary and selective prosecution.

Thomas published the book early last year, but it received a lot of criticism from the Attorney-General’s Chambers, lawyers, politicians and the public for allegedly containing elements of incitement, insult and slander. – The Vibes, January 28, 2022