Social media users back Thomas for attorney-general


Kamles Kumar

MALAYSIANS have come out to support the idea of Tommy Thomas for attorney-general following news that the renowned lawyer has been proposed by the new Pakatan Harapan government.

Social media users said the choice of A-G should be respected by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who had reportedly requested for another candidate to replace Mohamed Apandi Ali.

“The choice of the government of the day should be respected. The royals should be above politics,” Anizam Ahmed wrote on Facebook.

Others vouched for Thomas’ credibility, saying he was best suited for the top job.

“The best man for the job! Rulers must follow advice of duly elected prime minister. There should be no interference by the rulers,” Terence Yeoh said.

Chan Tsu Chong wrote on Twitter that Tommy Thomas would be an excellent A-G given his expertise, skills and progressive approach to the law.

They were commenting on a The Malaysian Insight report that PH had written to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong asking for the removal of Apandi and to replace him with Thomas, the unanimous choice of the PH government.

Amanah, Bersatu, DAP and PKR felt that the appointment of a respected legal name would send the right signal to Malaysians and the rest of the world that the new government was serious about reforming the country’s institutions.

Also, the appointment would ensure the presence of a skilled litigator in the chambers to handle all high-profile cases, including the prosecution of those involved in the 1MDB scandal.

The Malaysian Insight understands that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and other Malay rulers want the A-G to be a Malay-Muslim.

However, bloggers such as Syed Akhbar Ali have pointed out that the constitution does not say that the position must be filled by a Malay-Muslim.

Another commentator, Victor Yen, said it was time that Malaysians look beyond race and religion in such matters.

“Until and unless candidates for office are considered based on merit and skill, and not on race and religion, Malaysia will go nowhere,” said Twitter user Edward Kuruvilla.

“Any practicing lawyer will tell you Tommy Thomas is more than qualified to be appointed A-G. Tun M must see this through,” said Kuruvilla.

Another Facebook user, Jassy Cheam, said Malaysians knew how to respect each others’ sensitivities.

“We are educated and intelligent people. We know how to respect each other. We are Malaysians. Stop segregating us as Muslim and non-Muslim! It’s so sad. How can we progress?” – June 2, 2018.


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Comments


  • Tommy Thomas has my support too! After all that Umno has done n has brought down Malaysia n her institution, it is only right for PH govt to appoint credible leaders to make sure that the institution can regain her trust n respect again. For this pursuit, we must put race n religion aside n look for the most capable n the best for Malaysia because teh rakyat deserve quality leaders, n not leaders who are beholden to political p[arties.

    Posted 5 years ago by Peace Maker · Reply

  • Oh God!!! Discriminatory tactics from the royalty too? Are the Non-Malays and Non-Muslims

    Posted 5 years ago by Manonmoney Natchimthu · Reply

  • The selected choice is a good !! PH remember the rakyat helps you to form the new governmemt and if there is any concerns regarding the setting up of proper administration please refer back to rakyat to make it right. Sometimes some folks have to know their place in society.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • We Malaysian's truly deserves the Government that we voted for and in line with the Constitution, the most important

    Posted 5 years ago by KT Hong · Reply

  • I am social media user too. I do not support Tommy Thomas.

    Posted 5 years ago by Ahmad Safuan Mokhtar · Reply

    • Yup it doesn't matter if TT has great legal credentials and a reputation to boot. These things don't matter.

      Posted 5 years ago by Joseph Low · Reply

  • Our Nation, has after years of misrule and mismanagement, reach this critically crucial moment

    Posted 5 years ago by Kong Ing Kai · Reply

  • It is unbelievable that at this point of time when our Nation is facing many pressing and critical issues

    Posted 5 years ago by Kong Ing Kai · Reply

  • I understand that the Malaysian constitution was amended many times which helped keep BN in power? If so a really keen and good legal mind would help the govt with its legislative programme of reform?..

    Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • Social media users back Thomas for attorney-general by Kamles Kumar.

    List of users:

    Anizam Ahmed
    Victor Yen
    Edward Kuruvilla
    Jassy Cheam

    What part of MALAYsia do they are not clear with?

    Keep pushing the Malays and the non-Malays will get the war they will regret

    Posted 5 years ago by John Doe · Reply

  • Pakatan Harapan was chosen by Rakyat to be our government. Whoever the Pakatan Harapan nominated for Attorney General will be our choice and we hope the Agung will quickly approved the nomination so that our new AG can get on with his work.

    Posted 5 years ago by Kim Keong Yew · Reply

  • It is unbelievable that at this crucial point of time, when our Nation's leaders are working very hard to put upright again what had been turned topsy turvy by the previous regime, there are still people at the very top -supposedly looking after the best interests of our Nation - diffentiating the Rakyat by race and religion. The people in the rural kampongs (of all races and religious beliefs) cannot be faulted if they exhibit such tendencies, but for those higher up in the intellectual and social stratum of society, such thinking is incompatible with their standing. Those at the top are expected to exhibit the highest degree of wisdom and magnanimity, such that the common Rakyat like me can bow to them with respect, deference and love. I, for one, do not see why Malaysians should continue living in a country divided by color, race and religion. We all want to come together and start trusting one another, and the best our Rulers and Agong can do to help us achieve this dream of All Malaysians living together in unity, harmony and prosperity is, by their graces, give us 'glue' not 'oil'. Tommy Thomas is the best we have for the job. Can't we see 'kualitification' apart from 'kulitfication'? When our Nation wins, all of us wins!

    Posted 5 years ago by Kong Ing Kai · Reply

  • It is unbelievable that at this crucial point of time, when our Nation's leaders are working very hard to put upright again what had been turned topsy turvy by the previous regime, there are still people at the very top -supposedly looking after the best interests of our Nation - diffentiating the Rakyat by race and religion. The people in the rural kampongs (of all races and religious beliefs) cannot be faulted if they exhibit such tendencies, but for those higher up in the intellectual and social stratum of society, such thinking is incompatible with their standing. Those at the top are expected to exhibit the highest degree of wisdom and magnanimity, such that the common Rakyat like me can bow to them with respect, deference and love. I, for one, do not see why Malaysians should continue living in a country divided by color, race and religion. We all want to come together and start trusting one another, and the best our Rulers and Agong can do to help us achieve this dream of All Malaysians living together in unity, harmony and prosperity is, by their graces, give us 'glue' not 'oil'. Tommy Thomas is the best we have for the job. Can't we see 'kualitification' apart from 'kulitfication'? When our Nation wins, all of us wins!

    Posted 5 years ago by Kong Ing Kai · Reply

  • Strictly speaking, it appears to me that legally Dr. Mahathir is entitled to his choice of Tommy Thomas as Attorney-General. The law is the law and should not be toyed with. Revamping of the laws if required in the reform agenda is no easy task and very complicated, as many aspects usually need to be considered. Any lame-duck lawyer would be slow-moving and ineffective as A-G. Out of concern the King and Rulers are entitled to their say on the matter. A compromise could perhaps be fashioned if the deputy A-G was an accomplished Malay lawyer? Or such a position created if feasible? Otherwise Dr. M and Anwar could engage the royalty to explain and assuage any fears..

    Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • Respect the choice of the PEOPLE.
    Tun M, Malaysian are behind you.




    Posted 5 years ago by Priscilla Gomez · Reply

  • Priority to race n religion took us no where the past 60years...it must be t best person for the job. The Ruler seems to play politics now....pick t very best as that choice will carry us far. Thomas will do a better job than any as these non Malays made their way up, in fact most nons made their way unlike the Malays who were given their path on a platter. Pick t right, qualified person for t job n not the old failed method of ketuanan melayu stuff....be wise!!!

    Posted 5 years ago by Crishan Veera · Reply

  • The King must follow the advice of the PM which has the full support of the rakyat

    Posted 5 years ago by A T · Reply

  • i'm sorry i have different opinions. i understand the supporters of tommy thomas do so due to his capability to won the case against Najib and 1MDB but in our view the AG should be a Muslims so he can understand the values in Islam and uphold the religion In Malaysia because there is no higher priority than that even to defeat the biggest scandal in Malaysian's history.

    Posted 5 years ago by Ahmad tarmizi ahmad zawawi · Reply

    • why should you need an AG to understand the values in Islam and uphold the religion in Malaysia, that is that Agong's job and NOT AG's job, if a religion needs AG to uphold, I suggest you better have a second look at that religion

      Posted 5 years ago by Ken Toh · Reply

    • I suppose the King and the respective Sultan are the head of the of the religion in Malaysia and States ..that is ISLAM. A necessity has arise for some one to be appointed to advice the KIng and Sultan on religious matter.

      Posted 5 years ago by Mohanarajan murugeson · Reply

    • Then TT can appoint a deputy AG to handle those matters.

      Posted 5 years ago by Joseph Low · Reply

    • No higher priority. Isn't that not why we are in this situation in the first place?

      Posted 5 years ago by Joseph Low · Reply

  • With Sultan Mohamad also want to war....

    Posted 5 years ago by Muhamad Nasarudin · Reply