FORMER attorney-general (A-G) Mohamed Apandi Ali came out in defence of the staff of the Attorney-General’s Chambers, and others who have been “scandalised and humiliated” by Tommy Thomas in his memoir, which has come under attack by various quarters.

Apandi said they were caught in the predicament of having to defend themselves and, at the same time, going up against the former head of their department (Thomas is former A-G).

“As the former A-G, I sympathise with the officers who have been looked down in a condescending manner by Tommy Thomas,” Apandi said in a statement which was distributed to the media outside the Sentul district police headquarters.

Apandi was at the police station to lodge a report against Thomas for “justice to be done”.

In his report, Apandi also accused Thomas of slandering him in his memoir “My Story: Justice in the Wilderness”.

“I have examined the contents of the book and found that there are baseless accusations and attacks,” he said outside Sentul district police headquarters today.

Apandi said he could vouch for the AGC officers during his tenure.

He added he had never revealed information to which he had been privy when he was the attorney-general.

“There will be many things that will never cross my lips only because they are secrets of the state and they will remain as such.

“Therefore none will ever grace the pages of my memoirs.”

Apandi said the slander against him was an offence under section 500 of the penal code.

“I am also stating that Thomas has exposed certain confidential matters that involve the nation’s secrets.

“This includes matters relating to national affairs, cabinet discussions and the position of the attorney-general.”

He said the revelations in Thomas’ book violated section B of the Official Secrets Act 1972 and section 203A of the penal code.

He said Thomas was bound to keep the oath of secrets he swore when he took office.

Former solicitor-general Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria has lodged a police report against Thomas for tarnishing his reputation,

Hanafiah said Thomas had written in his memoir that tje solicitor-general was incapable of prosecuting former prime minister Najib Razak for corruption in the SRC International case
 
Hanafiah said Thomas should be investigated under section 499 of the penal code for also ruining the reputation of the AGC.

Yesterday, Selangor Criminal Investigation Department chief Fadzil Ahmat said Thomas was under investigation for criminal defamation following Hanafiah’s report.

Fadzil said police would call in Thomas to record his statement. – February 4, 2021.