The Tommy Thomas name creates stir at official unveiling of Rafizi's PKR election team

KUALA LUMPUR:  When Tommy Thomas was named, there was a stir at the ceremony to announce the running mates of PKR deputy presidential candidate Rafizi Ramli.

However, this Tommy Thomas is a 32-year old from Tawau, Sabah, who happens to share the name of the Attorney General.

Thomas was named as a candidate vying for one of the 20 seats on the PKR Youth exco.

“Also contesting for the Youth exco is Tommy Thomas. He's not the AG , he's from Tawau and he's running for an exco position,” said Youth chief candidate Akmal Nasir, when he made the announcement on Sunday (July 29)."

”Thomas later said that he was honoured to be on the same team as Rafizi.

"We want to see him as the deputy president and for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be president.”

Thomas said that after the Attorney General was appointed, many of his friends would contact him about having the same name.

“Many of my friends pointed this out to me. But I consider it a fortunate coincidence which is firing me up to work harder in the politics of the New Malaysia,” said Thomas, who runs his own business.

At the ceremony held at a hotel here, the names of Rafizi’s teammates contesting the top positions in the Aug 24 party election were formally announced.

The biggest name in Rafizi’s team comprises Permatang Pauh Member of Parliament Nurul Izzah, the daughter of Anwar, who will be defending her party position of vice-president.

Three other candidates in Rafizi’s team will contest the three vice-presidential posts. They are Sungai Petani MP Datuk Johari Abdul, Selayang MP William Leong and Sungai Siput MP S. Kesavan.

Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh will be contesting the Wanita chief's post while Selangor’s Batu Tiga Assemblyman Rodziah Ismail will be running for Wanita deputy chief.

Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasir will meanwhile try to become the Youth chief while Sabah Youth chief Raymon Ahuar will run for Youth deputy chief.- Star