YOURSAY | Kleptocrats bent on exacting revenge on Tommy Thomas

 

YOURSAY | 'If it is a fight the hordes are looking for, Thomas must be more than ready.'

PM orders probe on Thomas’ book for sedition, abuse of power, OSA

Kim Quek: Tommy Thomas is the most righteous attorney-general (AG) I have known. And his most memorable contribution to the country is setting in motion the netting of the big sharks that would have devoured the country if left to roam unhindered.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is also the only prime minister who has publicly ordered a criminal investigation on a former attorney-general.

While Ismail Sabri may gain the applause of Umno’s die-hard supporters, he may not have the gumption to go through the process of prosecuting Thomas in court - where more dirty linens of the decadent ruling elite may be washed.

If Ismail Sabri is such a man of stern principles, why didn’t he make a similar move on his chief graft buster Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki, whose potential criminalities surrounding his acquisition of millions of shares had caused such public consternation?

Dr Raman Letchumanan: The 'backdoor' Umno government has set up a committee to investigate Thomas, and as widely expected, they have come up with a slew of accusations.

Based on their report, the prime minister has ordered the enforcement agencies to investigate Thomas. The police commenced investigations the very next day.

I am not sure whether this is the normal procedure where criminal investigations are initiated by the executive.

I would think the enforcement agencies would, on their own accord, commence investigations, among others, based on reports lodged, and forward their investigation papers to AG Idrus Harun for prosecution.

Would the AG and the enforcement authorities be able to carry out an independent investigation and, if necessary, dare inform the prime minister there is no merit if investigations reveal so? We are told all the time that the investigation authorities are truly independent, especially from the executive.

While the 'backdoor' government has proactively moved to sanction Thomas, it is surprising that the legitimate government, Pakatan Harapan, under whose reign Thomas was appointed as AG, has chosen to remain silent. At least, they could say the process should follow the Constitution and the laws of the country.

In any case, I believe this is the first time a former AG is being investigated and possibly brought before the court for criminal charges. At the same time, there are growing calls for the AG’s role as chief prosecutor and government legal advisor to be separated.

The AG currently has almost absolute discretion in proffering charges that no one else can question. It will be interesting to watch the court proceedings as they proceed and how they will impinge on the absolute powers of the AG and the constitutional provisions. I am sure Thomas will put up a good fight and so will the government.

One thing is certain now, the AG is not immune from prosecution for acts done during his/her tenure even after leaving office. The only difference is whether the executive wants to prosecute. I hope this is not a personality issue.

RR: It is very sad that Thomas, as an AG for less than two years, is to be charged with sedition. What he wrote is for the government to take corrective action against the weaknesses and shortcomings in the administration for the future well-being of the nation.

In any administration, there will be weaknesses and shortcomings. If the shortcomings had been boldly highlighted a decade ago, our country would not have been labelled as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

It is because of Thomas’ revelation that top politicians are facing court action today. Fortunately, our senior judges headed by chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat are steadfast in upholding justice without fear or favour.

Vijay47: Let us first look at some hard facts painful for Ismail Sabri and others in his camp. Thomas is not ex-AG Mohamad Apandi Ali, he is fortunately not Idrus Harun.

Thomas would not have walked, blindfolded, into the eye of the typhoon without being aware that the hounds would be unleashed, that crowds would come forth screaming for his blood. And that has indeed come to pass to no one’s surprise.

It is because Thomas committed two unforgivable sins. First, he dared to accept the post of attorney-general. Imagine that a Christian Indian Malayalee Malaysian has the damn cheek to hold a position reserved for the ruling class.

What a coincidence that another person who strayed into an exclusive realm, the Ministry of Finance, is also facing a host of imaginative problems!

Thomas’ second crime is that he referred to selecting Malays in certain fields in less than flattering terms. Again, how dare he; after all, they manage universities that produce 400 PhDs a year!

He painted a picture of various sectors within the civil service, including the Attorney General’s Chambers, where the senior echelon was found lacking in talent or merit.

Shockingly, Ismail Sabri’s regal order is to investigate Thomas, not his allegations about facets of the public service sinking into a rotten abyss.

Ismail Sabri, you are the prime minister! Aren’t you concerned about the quality of your senior officers? Don’t you want to enquire into weaknesses and seek ways to improve the entire government administration? No, speaking to a UN General Assembly audience of 17 is not enough.

This is the second time we have seen this shameful attitude. Except that nobody is driven back to shedding tears for Thomas. If it is a fight the hordes are looking for, who knows, Thomas must be more than ready.

With Ate by his side, he would come hot from hell, he would cry “Havoc!” and let slip the dogs of war. - Mkini