Former solicitor-general Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria has not taken kindly to his ex-boss Tommy Thomas’ views about him.
Hanafiah yesterday lodged a police report against the former attorney-general alleging defamation.
This is after Thomas, in his latest memoir, said he was not confident that Hanafiah and head of prosecution Manoj Kurup were capable of leading and supervising the incredible amount of preparation required for the SRC International trial.
Thomas was of the view that the duo was more comfortable with administrative duties, given their seniority in a bureaucratic organisation.
Thomas added that he expected world-class performance but could not find an officer within the Attorney-General’s Chambers of sufficient experience, expertise and ability to lead the case in his absence.
Hanafiah, in his police report, said Thomas’ comment had connotations and nuances that he was incapable.
To the contrary, Hanafiah said he had assembled a team of the best deputy public prosecutors to prepare the charges against former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Furthermore, Hanafiah said Thomas himself had wanted to lead the case as is the convention in high-profile cases.
“At no time did Thomas said he wanted me to lead the prosecution team in the SRC case or that he thought I was incapable to lead the team,” he said.
Instead, Hanafiah alleged that it was through Thomas’ own incapability that he later appointed an external lawyer - V Sithambaram - to assist him in the case.
He also alleged Thomas merely wanted an excuse to appoint his “friends”.
“Therefore, Thomas’ writings in his book are untrue and sullies my reputation as a deputy public prosecutor who had at the time served for 33 years.
“It appeared as if I was a lazy deputy public prosecutor who was incapable of managing the prosecution,” he said.
Hanafiah, in his report, asked the police to investigate Thomas under Section 499 of the Penal Code for criminal defamation.
He said Thomas had not only defamed him but also officers of the Attorney-General’s Chambers and its institution. - Mkini
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