FORMER attorney-general Tommy Thomas’ memoir My Story: Justice in the Wilderness will likely be banned by the Home Ministry if he is found to have breached the Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA), said a government source.

Utusan Malaysia reported sources saying the book had defamatory elements, which was now being closely inspected by the ministry before further action is taken.

“It is understood a panel from the ministry is evaluating to see whether Thomas’ writings had violated any law or otherwise. If it is true as alleged, the book maybe withdrawn or banned,” the source was quoted saying.

The report also said the ministry was liaising with the Attorney-General’s Chambers regarding several controversial chapters of the memoir.

The book has ruffled a few feathers after numerous figures named in the book, like former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former attorney-general Apandi Ali and former prime minister Najib Razak, contested the contents of the book.

Among the issues Thomas discussed in the books were the prosecution of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case, the troubles he had faced in the A-G’s Chambers and even his controversial appointment.

He also allegedly claimed Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was nominated as the interim prime minister by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong instead of Dr Mahathir, after Pakatan Harapan collapsed in February last year.

Several police reports had also been lodged, including Apandi accusing Thomas of slandering him. Apandi, in his report, accused Thomas of being in breach of Section 500 of the Penal Code, which deals with defamation.

He also alleged Thomas divulged national secrets in the book, purportedly violating Section 8 of the OSA and Section 203A of the Penal Code.

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

Hanafiah said Thomas had written in his memoir that the solicitor-general was incapable of prosecuting Najib for corruption in the SRC International Bhd case.

Groups of Umno Youth members also have lodged reports in Kuala Lumpur and Kelantan demanding for Thomas to be investigated for breaching the OSA.

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.

Current attorney-general Idris Harun also slammed Thomas for disparaging AGC staff, saying his predecessor does not understand the workings of the public office. – February 5, 2021.