Thomas Memoir A Tragedy Of Generalisation But Does Not Warrant Ban Says Anwar

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PETALING JAYA: The controversial memoir by Tan Sri Tommy Thomas is a "tragedy of generalisation" but it should not be banned as it is the former attorney general's right to exercise his freedom of expression, says Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic).
In a lengthy "book review" written by Anwar on Facebook on Tuesday (Feb 9), the Port Dickson MP said he disagreed with Thomas' views, but he "vehemently opposed" any move to ban it.
"I believe that subject to the laws of slander and libel, (and) criminal defamation, Thomas should be allowed to exercise his constitutional freedom of expression in a manner that would foster the public contestation of ideas.
"It is in this sense too that I express my disagreement with Thomas' views and remarks. Silencing voices has never been the work of progress.
"And I must say, Thomas offers a rich voice that further illustrates the multicultural and diverse nature of our nation and his opinion and views are as important as anyone else's," Anwar wrote.
However, Anwar described Thomas' memoirs as a tragedy of generalisation, saying that the writer's flawed angle of investigation must be taken with scepticism.
Anwar said Thomas had insulted the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) when he alleged that former solicitor general III Datuk Mohamad Hanafiah Zakariah was deemed incompetent to lead and supervise one of 1MDB's corruption cases in 2018.
"It would appear that in casting aspersions on the AGC with such unkind remarks, Thomas also added insult into injury, intoning that public sector lawyers had public service attitudes (and) were civil servants, earning a fixed monthly income and awaiting pension upon retirement.
"In one fell swoop, Thomas has not only insulted the AGC, but publicly disparaged the entire civil service of the nation."
In Thomas' 573-page book My Story: Justice in the Wilderness, he said government lawyers with their "civil service mentality" had no incentive to shine.
Anwar said such generalisation is unbecoming and the notion of contented civil servants was a form of resentment that is founded in anger and slight, not national criticism.
Anwar said he had bad experiences with the AGC, but despite the disgrace he experienced in the past, Anwar said he still does not generalise the competence, capabilities and professionalism of the civil service.
"One bad apple does not spoil the entire barrel and I strongly believe that we are blessed with an efficient, effective and professional organisation," he said.
Anwar said he was dumbfounded as to how Thomas, as a proponent of the rule of law, could have adopted such a condescending attitude towards the civil service.
The release of Thomas' book has generated much interest and controversy, with threats of legal suits and numerous police reports lodged.
The book recounts Thomas' tenure as attorney general during the former Pakatan Harapan administration, which collapsed after the events of the "Sheraton Move" and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's resignation as premier last year. - Star

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