KUALA LUMPUR – Former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas will be called in for police questioning following a report lodged against him over his recently released autobiography.
Selangor Criminal Investigation Department chief Datuk Fadzil Ahmat told The Star that police are investigating remarks made in the book My Story: Justice in the Wilderness, and that Thomas will be called in as soon as possible to have his statement taken.
“So far, only one police report has been lodged against him in Selangor, in connection with the book.”
This comes after former senior deputy public prosecutor Datuk Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria lodged a report at the Cyberjaya police station yesterday, alleging that Thomas defamed him and tarnished his reputation in the memoir released on Monday.
In the report, Hanafiah – who initially led the prosecution in former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s SRC International Sdn Bhd corruption trial – called for Thomas to be investigated under Section 499 of the Penal Code for defamation against him and other officers in the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
In the book, Thomas said Hanafiah was incapable of leading and supervising the incredible amount of preparation required for the case, and that he was more comfortable performing administrative duties.
The former AG said he was unable to find a suitable AGC officer with sufficient experience and expertise, and with the ability to work independently and lead the said preparations, prior to the appointment of Datuk Sulaiman Abdullah as lead prosecutor, relegating Hanafiah to administrative work.
Refuting Thomas’ claims, Hanafiah said it is erroneous to accuse him of incompetence, as he had spent 33 years in the sector up to that point.
The ex-senior DPP also said his removal from the SRC International trial team allowed Thomas to appoint his lawyer friends.
“I want to state that throughout my service as a legal officer, I held several important posts in the AGC and handled numerous high-profile cases. Never have I been told that I am incapable,” said Hanafiah in the police report.
“In fact, when I was solicitor-general III, I handled two appeal cases at the Federal Court. As such, Thomas’ claims are untrue and a defamation against me.”
Hanafiah retired as director-general of the Judicial and Legal Training Institute, having moved there in July 2019.
Najib was found guilty by the Kuala Lumpur High Court in July last year on seven counts of corruption in the SRC International trial, and was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million. He is appealing the charges.
Thomas has courted flak from various quarters over the book, including Najib, who is seeking an apology and RM10 million in compensation after the former AG linked him to the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006.
The Judicial and Legal Service Officers’ Association today slammed Thomas’ “uncivilised” claims that government legal officers are incompetent, saying it shows his shallow-mindedness.
It said his perception of legal officers follows his own failure to helm the agency.
“Thomas labelled legal officers in the AGC as government lawyers waiting for their monthly salaries and retirement pensions. This statement is malicious and an insult to the whole legal fraternity.
“We don’t work to chase popularity. In fact, our work is done with integrity, professionalism and confidentiality, as has been stressed in the public service.
“We have similar qualifications as private law practitioners, and we represent the government in fighting for cases between parties, including international disputes and negotiations, in the national interest.” – The Vibes, February 3, 2021
