KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the writings of former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas in his book titled My Story: Justice in the Wilderness should not have been made public.
He said Thomas had broken his oath to guard and keep government secrets at all times, even if he no longer held the post.
“It is the main thrust in government departments that information obtained by any officer and classified as ‘top secret’, ‘secret’, or ‘confidential’ is subject to the Official Secrets Act and should not be shared with the public, let alone be used to boost the book by highlighting his opinions and not facts,” he said in a statement today.
He said Thomas’ action of belittling the deputy public prosecutor and the entire Attorney-General's Chambers in the book could also cause the public to have a negative perception of the ability and capability of officers in the AGC.
Zahid said Thomas’ comments that government officers were only waiting for promotions, their salaries at the end of the month, and retirement benefits were irresponsible, especially coming from someone who used to head the department itself.
“What is more worrying are the factual inaccuracies and the writings are being manipulated to sow hatred and slander towards Umno and Barisan Nasional as well as the individuals named, political leaders, and departments he used to head with the aim of distorting the people’s trust in the government,” he said.
Zahid said that Thomas’ comments regarding the May 13 incident, as written in the book, were insensitive to the community, including allegations linking Tun Abdul Razak Hussein to the tragedy that undermined the credibility of the former prime minister.
He said the book showed Thomas to be an individual who could not keep secrets, liked attention, and wanted publicity for himself.
“As such, I urge the people not to be influenced by the writings, which are Thomas’ own views,” he said. – Bernama, February 4, 2021
