GERAKBUDAYA founder Chong Ton Sin had his statement recorded by the police as the publisher of former attorney-general Tommy Thomas’ memoir My Story: Justice in the Wilderness.

Several police reports have been lodged against Thomas over his book, and he is also under investigation for criminal defamation.

Chong said his statement was recorded at Bukit Aman earlier this morning after Home Ministry officials paid the Gerakbudaya bookstore in Petaling Jaya a visit yesterday.

“I had my statement taken earlier. The Home Ministry also came to purchase one of the books yesterday,” Chong told The Malaysian Insight when contacted today. 

Chong added the books were flying off the shelf after a news report that the government may ban it following the uproar it has caused.

He said the second print run of 5,000 copies was already sold out, with Thomas purchasing 2,000 copies. Gerakbudaya is now preparing for a third print run soon.

“People have been buying the books. It’s sold out so fast. Maybe people want to get it before the memoir is banned,” Chong said. 

Chong also denied the book was removed from the Gerakbudaya website for fear of government intimidation or public backlash. He said the publisher-cum-distributor just could not cope up with the overwhelming orders.

“There is no such thing, it’s just that we have a lot of orders to fulfil already and putting the book up on the website would be pointless if there are (currently) no more books,” he said. 

Earlier today, Utusan Malaysia reported the Home Ministry was mulling a ban on Thomas’ memoirs for breaching the Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA).

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 it, like former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former attorney-general Apandi Ali and former prime minister Najib Razak, have disputed Thomas’ version of certain events.

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 his controversial appointment.

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

Several police reports have been lodged against Thomas, including by Apandi who has accused Thomas of slandering him. 

Apandi 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 as “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.

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

Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah told The Malaysian Insight seven police reports have been lodged against Thomas over his memoir.

He said police are investigating two complaints – criminal defamation and breach of the Official Secrets Act.

“The investigating officer and his team need time to look through the reports,” Acryl said.

“When they are ready, they will call Thomas and other witnesses to assist in the investigation.” – February 5, 2021.