THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has started an investigation into former attorney-general Tommy Thomas, Utusan Malaysia reported.

Quoting a source, the Malay-language daily said the agency is currently examining the report prepared by the special task force that analysed Thomas’s memoir: “My Story: Justice In The Wilderness”.

The task force found that Thomas may have committed offences under section 124I and 203A of the penal code; section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009; section 8 of the Official Secrets Act 1972; section 4 of the Sedition Act 1948; along with breaches of government regulations, procedures and circulars.

The 822-page report also listed nine elements of possible misconduct by the former attorney-general.

It included Thomas’s alleged interference in the appointment of judges; disclosing government secrets; abusing his power by appointing external lawyers to represent the government; and tarnishing the image of the judiciary.

He was also accused of allegedly disobeying government regulations and circulars regarding the sale of the luxury yacht Equanimity – seized from fugitive financier Low Taek Jho – and committing professional negligence over land claims in Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

However, Thomas has challenged the findings, and sued the government and the special task force that scrutinised his book.

He said the government broke the law by setting up the task force and its pursuit of him infringed on his constitutional rights.

Thomas, who was AG during the short-lived Pakatan Harapan administration, named task force chairman J.C. Fong and its members Hashim Paijan, Junaidah Kamarudin, Jagjit Singh Bant Singh, Shaharudin Ali, K. Balaguru, Farah Adura Hamidi and Najib Surip as defendants.

The former AG also wants a declaration that the report titled “Laporan Pasukan Petugas Khas – Siasatan Ke Atas Dakwaan-Dakwaan Dalam Buku Bertajuk ‘My Story: Justice In The Wilderness’” is an illegal document and not authorised by law.

The book, published on January 30, caused a public uproar, resulting in 244 police reports lodged by various individuals and groups.

The task force, formed as a fact-finding body to undertake an in-depth review and analysis of the entire book, held no fewer than 37 deliberation sessions to examine whether the publication was illegal in the context of Thomas and his position as AG. – October 28, 2022.