THE government will form a special team to investigate into the claims made in the memoir of former attorney-general Tommy Thomas, said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“The team will investigate Thomas’ allegations of abuse of power in the appointment of judges, political interference in judicial decisions, selective and political prosecution, and violations against his oath of secrecy,” said the prime minister in a statement today.

Ismail Sabri said the cabinet decided on this yesterday.

He said the team will be headed by a former chief justice, who will be appointed soon, while the secretariat will be the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and legal department.

The team will be given six months to prepare a report for the cabinet to decide on the next course of action, he added.

Thomas released his book My Story: Justice in the Wilderness earlier this year, drawing criticism for his bombshell revelations of behind-the-scene manoeuvrings in the judicial system.

Among the issues discussed in the book are the 1Malaysia Development Bhd case and its prosecution, as well as the troubles Thomas had faced in the AGC and his controversial appointment as a non-Malay AG.

Thomas also touched on the process of prosecuting former prime minister Najib Razak, the competence of prosecution officers handling the case, the murder of Mongolian interpreter Altantuya Shaariibuu that implicated Najib, and the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.

Calls, especially by Umno members, have been made for a royal commission of inquiry into Thomas, who critics have accused of violating the Official Secrets Act.

Other than this special team, the cabinet also agreed to reinvestigate the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim and form a team to relook into the Pedra Branca, or Pulau Batu Puteh, case.

When contacted by The Malaysian Insight, Thomas said he has no comment on the decision by the government to probe into the claims in his book. – October 9, 2021.