Comparison Of Lawyers Insulting Say Those In Govt

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Former attorney-general Tommy Thomas says in his memoir that public service lawyers lack the drive to succeed compared with those in the Bar.PETALING JAYA: An interest group representing government lawyers and those in the judicial service today said they “strongly objected” to Tommy Thomas’s depiction of them as lacking the drive to excel compared with those in the Bar.
This was after the former attorney-general made known his disappointment over the state of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and its staff he once used to lead in his memoir, “My Story: Justice in the Wilderness”.
In a statement, the Judicial and Legal Service Officers’ Association said it was “insulting and malicious” for Thomas to say government lawyers lacked drive and were merely waiting for their salaries and pensions.
“Thomas should not dispute the ability, capability and performance of the legal officers under his watch in his short period as AG, let alone mention the name of a legal officer in his book with scorn.
“Thomas’ views are uncivilised and reflect the shallowness of his thinking. Any dissatisfaction with an officer should not be left to public scrutiny.
“Legal officers in the AGC or the courts have been carrying out the duties entrusted to them without taking into account who was the attorney-general or the ruling government,” it said.
The association also said Thomas’ comments reflected his failure to lead the AGC and lacked the understanding of how the civil service was run.
“We are not working to raise individual popularity. The challenges, trials and pressure of legal officers are not for the interests of an individual or a client, but the public interest in upholding the law.”
Thomas had said in his book that AGC’s lawyers lacked commitment, passion and drive to succeed like their counterparts in the Bar.
He said public sector lawyers – deputy public prosecutors and federal counsel – had “public service attitudes” and were only waiting for their fixed salaries and pensions upon retirement.
“There was no incentive to distinguish themselves,” he said. - FMT

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