KUALA LUMPUR – Police will be presenting their updated findings, including four investigation papers, on former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas’ memoir to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) once the details have been finalised.
Police Inspector-General Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said today that the findings include four investigation papers opened to probe into the memoir My Story: Justice In The Wilderness, as well as an investigation paper into statements Thomas made during a forum on September 17.
“I have been told that Thomas’ statement has been taken along with (Parti Sosialis Malaysia president) Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj,” he told reporters in Muar today, as quoted by Bernama.
“There are several things that police need to carry out following orders… issued by the AGC for us to update several matters on the investigation (we have) conducted.”
Without stating a date, he added that the revised investigation findings will be presented to the AGC for it to “analyse and make a decision”.
He said that Thomas’ statement regarding the forum titled “Dark Forces Towards GE15” was recorded by police on Thursday (October 27) while Jeyakumar’s statement on the same matter was taken on October 22.
“(Police) have done everything. We have taken their statements and taken into consideration anything related to the accusations. We will hand (the investigation findings) over to the AG.”
It was reported on October 18 that police had launched investigations against Thomas and Jeyakumar over alleged racial remarks made during the mentioned forum which took place on September 17.
Thomas allegedly urged the opposition to ask voters whether a “Malay government” would have made the country better and more efficient.
Meanwhile, the investigation papers into Thomas’ memoir were earlier referred to the AGC for further instructions after the special investigation task force formed to probe into the issue briefed the cabinet.
Caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had ordered the authorities to investigate Thomas for sedition and breaching the Official Secrets Act, among others, over several allegations the former AG made in his autobiography, which was published in 2021.
The decision was made in the cabinet meeting on September 30 following a briefing by the special task force.
Thomas is being investigated under Sections 124I and 203A of the Penal Code for disseminating false reports likely to cause public alarm and disclosure of information obtained during the discharge of one’s official duties.
He is also probed under Section 4 of the Sedition Act 1948 for issuing seditious statements, Section 8 of the Official Secrets Act 1972 for wrongful communication of official secrets, and Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 for using his position for gratification.
On Thursday, Thomas filed a legal action to challenge the report produced by the special task force, alleging that the report was published with the intention to harm his reputation, contained false and baseless allegations, and was put out with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass him.
Thomas’ book became a top seller soon after it was published, earning a top spot under global e-commerce platform Amazon’s biographies of lawyers and judges category.
It also caused a public uproar resulting in some 244 reports lodged by various individuals and groups against Thomas and the book. – The Vibes, October 30, 2022
