TOMMY GETS FULL DOSE OF THE INSIDIOUS RACISM USED BY BN & ITS MEDIA TO COW OPPONENTS: AS AG VOWS TO OPPOSE GAG ORDER, NAJIB SUPPORTERS GATECRASH HIS PRESSER DEMANDING HE SPEAKS MALAY INSTEAD OF ENGLISH

KUALA LUMPUR — Attorney General (AG) Tommy Thomas cancelled a scheduled press conference on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s trial after the latter’s supporters became aggressive in the vicinity.

The group began berating Thomas as he approached the lobby of the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex where the press conference had been arranged, denouncing him for conducting the court proceedings in English earlier.

“Guna Bahasa Malaysia! (Use Bahasa Malaysia!)” the cries came at first, before rising to a crescendo of shouts.

Thomas earlier sought the court’s permission to proceed with the former PM’s prosecution in English.

The AG previously conceded to a poor command of the national language.

The crowd mocked him repeatedly, with some questioning his citizenship for not being fluent in BM.

Thomas stood and smiled as he waited for the crowd to settle down, but walked away when it became apparent that they were becoming increasingly agitated.

Actress Ellie Suriaty Omar, believed to be the instigator of the chants, then had her MyKad taken by police personnel who were attempting to calm the group.

Thomas called later for another press conference, this time on an upper floor free of the former PM’s supporters.

The crowd moved outside the lobby when police escorted some of the more hostile protesters outside, where the shouting and jostling continued. – MALAY MAIL

A-G to oppose interim gag order in Najib case

ATTORNEY-GENERAL Tommy Thomas will oppose an interim gag order by the court in his prosecution against former prime minister Najib Razak.

He said the gag order, requested by Najib’s lead counsel, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, is unnecessary.

“A gag order was not something we asked for. We object to that.

“How wide is the scope of the gag order? We were taken by surprise,” said Thomas, who is leading the prosecution, during a press conference after the court proceedings today.

The court granted Shafee’s request for an interim gag order on digital and print media, preventing them from discussing the merits of the case.

Shafee argued that the gag order is crucial to prevent statements that could affect his client’s case from being published.

He cited alleged incidents where his client had been subjected to a “trial by media”, even before today’s court appearance.

Judge Sofian Abd Razak permitted the interim gag order on the media, which prevents the publication of statements or materials on the merits of Najib’s case.

He said Shafee needs to apply to make the gag order permanent, and the interim order is valid for only 14 days.

Thomas said he will wait and see what the gag order entails before applying to strike it out.

Earlier in court, he said he will oppose the gag order as it curbs freedom of speech, which is important when it comes to high-profile cases such as Najib’s.

“We will object strenuously. The rest of the world is talking about it. The rest of the world will be commenting on the case, and Malaysians would be keeping quiet.

“They need to make a formal application. We will vigorously oppose.”  – THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT

MALAY MAIL / THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT