A SENSE of duty to the nation and a desire to “guide and direct” legal reforms was why Tommy Thomas accepted the job as attorney-general (A-G).

In his first press conference since assuming the country’s top legal position, Thomas said he felt “honoured” at being offered the job.

“I guess national service,” he said when asked why he accepted it.

“At the end of the day, when the call was made, I felt honoured.”

Thomas, a renowned lawyer and constitutional expert, said his time in office would be focused on institutional reforms of the legal and judicial system.

“The whole idea is reform. Somebody has to guide and direct the reform of the law as part of a reforming government.

“Our mantra is a reforming attorney-general to assist the reforming prime minister, elected by the people three to four weeks ago,” he said.

He admitted that the work would be “a long process” and said he will be working closely with the Malaysian Bar, universities, civil societies and members of the public.

“We will listen to everybody. We will listen. But what (we) are keen (on) is reform. The content of reform will depend on input.”

In his statement earlier, which he read out before reporting for work at 1.30pm at the A-G Chambers (AGC) in Putrajaya today, a visibly excited Thomas said he was “humbled” and thanked “Almighty God for the blessings.”

“I am most grateful to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the trust and confidence posed in me.

“The office of the A-G of any nation at any point of time is entrusted with very serious responsibilities.

“In Malaysia, after 60 years of one-party rule, with the result being that the law is in a pallor state, the A-G’s responsibility is doubly onerous.”

Thomas’ appointment, backed by Dr Mahathir’s administration, was thrust into a royal impasse for nearly three weeks.

Among criticisms levelled by those opposing Thomas’ appointment was that he was not a Muslim, and thus could not be relied on to look out for the rights of the Malays or protect the status of Islam.

Thomas said he took the attacks in stride.

“If you value free speech, then you must practice free speech. And free speech means everybody can criticise you. I am happy for everybody to criticise me.

“It’s part of free speech. And it is absolutely nothing (for me). In fact, I rather listen to criticism than praises and good things. I have absolutely no problem. And please carry on because if you value free speech, you must criticise.”

On criticisms that he is not fluent in Bahasa Malaysia, Tommy said: “Yes, I’m afraid I have to brush it up, I really have to brush it up.

“The trouble is that in private practice, which I’ve had for 42 years, I’ve been dealing with commercial clients and documents, I guess I’ve neglected my Bahasa (Malaysia). I guess I’ll have to brush it up.”

Thomas, 66, received his appointment letter this morning, and was told he would be serving until 2020.

“I think it was delivered to my office last night. I received it this morning when I went to the office at 9am.

“So the letter says I’m appointed for two years from June 4, which was Monday. The letter was dated June 5. But I won’t be technical, I will leave on June 3 in two years time.” – June 6, 2018.