Police have recorded a statement from the publisher of former attorney-general Tommy Thomas' memoir following a deluge of reports.
Speaking to Malaysiakini this afternoon, Gerakbudaya founder Chong Ton Sin confirmed that he was quizzed for about an hour at the Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
“I cannot remember which department. The officer just asked normal questions like from where I obtained the contents of the book and where the printing was done.
“However, I was not told under which section I am being investigated,” he added.
Police are also investigating Thomas for criminal defamation following a report lodged by former solicitor-general Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria.
On Wednesday, Selangor CID chief Fadzil Ahmat confirmed that the report was lodged in Cyberjaya.
"We will call him (Thomas) as soon as possible to record his statement," he told Malaysiakini.
Thomas has chosen to remain silent on the backlash, which among others, saw his successor Idris Harun branding the memoir as an “insult to the institution of law”.
Whereas his predecessor Apandi Ali filed a police report, accusing Thomas of committing offences under the Penal Code with regard to defamation and section 203A of the Official Secrets Act.
Section 203A reads: “Whoever discloses any information or matter which has been obtained by him in the performance of his duties or the exercise of his functions under any written law shall be punished with a fine of not more than one million ringgit, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with both.”
It could not be ascertained if Thomas would be summoned for questioning over this as well.
Former premier Najib Abdul Razak, on the other hand, slapped Thomas with a letter of demand over his remarks regarding the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Accusing Thomas of defamation, the letter stated that by “clear inference and innuendo”, he had conveyed the message that he, as the then AG and public prosecutor was satisfied with the truthfulness of the allegations by two convicted persons that Najib was involved in directing them to murder the Mongolian national.
Meanwhile, the book, titled My Story: Justice in the Wilderness, could also be banned.
Quoting a source, FMT reported that the Home Ministry's enforcement and control department is scrutinising the contents of the book.
When this is completed, the department would furnish a report to Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin.
Quizzed on this, Chong revealed that a Home Ministry officer had purchased the book from him.
He also revealed that a police report was lodged in Sepang and an officer would be purchasing the book from Gerakbudaya for their investigation.
“Unless the officers produce an official letter, they would have to buy the book,” he said, adding that Gerakbudaya would continue to sell the controversial book. - Mkini
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