Tommy Thomas quits as A-G

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 28 Feb 2020 8:01PM · 13 Comments

Tommy Thomas resigns as Attorney-General. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, February 28, 2020.

TOMMY Thomas has resigned as the Attorney-General of Malaysia, ending a nearly two-year stint overseeing a clutch of high-profile cases, including the ongoing trial involving Najib Razak over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

His resignation, at a time of a possible government change, will most certainly bring to a temporary halt the cases against the former prime minister, his wife Rosmah Mansor and other corruption cases.

Sources told The Malaysian Insight that the prominent litigator met interim prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad earlier today, when he handed in his letter of resignation.

It was Dr Mahathir who appointed him as the A-G, and since his days as the prime minister are effectively over, it was seen as only proper that Thomas vacated the position as the top government legal officer.

Thomas was a surprise pick as the attorney-general following Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) win at the 2018 general elections that threw out Barisan Nasional and brought in Dr Mahathir and his allies in PH, which collapsed on Monday.

In the past, the country’s top legal officer usually rose from within the A-G Chambers or the judiciary. Thomas made his name as a top courtroom lawyer, who more often than represented individuals or groups challenging the establishment.

While his appointment was welcomed by civil society and Malaysians who believed that the PH win was the beginning of a new era, Malay groups and Umno and Pas were upset that a non-Malay had been given this coveted position.

Some of his decisions upset them, including the decision to set up a coroner’s inquiry into the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim in riots at a temple in Subang Jaya in December 2018.

More recently, the A-G also decided to drop charges against 12 men accused of being involved with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE). 

He issued a 11-page statement giving reasons why it would have been difficult to achieve victory in court in this case and said that in the interest of justice and fairness, the charges had to be dropped.

This decision, while hailed by lawyers, was slammed by some within the PH government, with Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin accusing the A-G of usurping his powers. – February 28, 2020.

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Comments

  • He has done a par excellence job so far the country should acknowledge his untiring to bring the corrupters to justice but its a pity to see his good work laid to waste on the ground.

    Posted 4 years ago by Patrick Teng · Reply

  • Ali Baba and his fellow thieves can breathe easy now. Dark clouds gather over Malaysian legal scene.

    Posted 4 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • Dark clouds over Malaysia ... period

    Posted 4 years ago by NA Bayezid · Reply

  • Oh my goodness! Dark days for justice and the fight against corruption.

    Posted 4 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • The ketuanan can do anything as they are encouraged by the byelection results. Mahatir has met his Waterloo

    Posted 4 years ago by S L · Reply

  • Ugly Baba (Muhyiddin) and his 40 thieves are set to ravage the country. God bless us all.

    Posted 4 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

  • Seriously for real

    Posted 4 years ago by Lan Lan · Reply

  • Najib n 40 theives can walk scout free now DOOMSDAY FOR MSIA WITH THE RESIGNATION OF AN HONEST CAPABLE AG. Muslims Prefer Corrupt AG for msia.

    Posted 4 years ago by Lucky Boy · Reply

  • Now TMI prints fake news . Freaking ridiculous.

    Posted 4 years ago by Kinetica Cho · Reply

    • What fake news? Not everything is fake.

      Posted 4 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

    • Why fake? You reading the 2 yr old clip from Star?

      Posted 4 years ago by Watch Dog · Reply

  • The THIEF n his merry gang will be celebrating....how unfair...it pays to steal. Just buy time.

    Posted 4 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • It was Dr Mahathir who appointed him as the A-G, and since his days as the prime minister are effectively over, it was seen as only proper that Thomas vacated the position as the top government legal officer.

    It would be proper.

    Thank you TT for all good you have done for Malaysia.

    Posted 4 years ago by Prisca Leong · Reply