What Has Race Got To Do With Being Ag Asks Tommy

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Tommy Thomas said Dr Mahathir Mohamad had given him full autonomy to do what he wished but refused to listen to him on the deportation of preacher Dr Zakir Naik. (Bernama pic)GEORGE TOWN: Tommy Thomas says he was “surprised” that people did not want him as attorney-general just because he was a non-Malay.
He said he thought there would be enough support, particularly from the Pakatan Harapan side, as he was their “traveller AG”.
Thomas said a traveller AG was obliged to be aligned to the policies of the government he served.
Despite that, he said there was opposition, which he regrets. He said his job was a professional one that did not require him to be of a certain race.
“The country needs a legal adviser. Does it really matter what his race is?” he asked in an interview with former diplomat Dennis Ignatius on YouTube.
Thomas pointed out that he had worked for the PAS government as a legal adviser and for Malay institutions and they had never had an issue with him being around.
“When that appointment (as legal adviser to the Kelantan PAS government) took place, I stayed on as their lawyer, they did not take into account racial considerations. So, to some extent, we thought it would be the same at the public level.
“The lesson has been learnt. I agree with you that the establishment, including the legal establishment, has taken the position that this is a Malay preserve from Merdeka. I accept that,” he said.
Ignatius had asked Thomas about former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad asking him to resign a day after he was appointed, along with claims that a minister wanted him out as he could not be sworn in with a Quran.
Thomas said he had had a cordial working relationship with Mahathir and the older man had given him full autonomy to do what he wished.
He said the only time Mahathir did not take his legal advice was on the deportation of preacher Dr Zakir Naik to India.
“Putting it mildly, he (Zakir) was a nuisance in his host country. But Dr M thought otherwise,” Thomas said.
On the issue of enforced disappearances, particularly about Pastor Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat, Thomas said he was unable to do anything, as “no one was investigating”.
Thomas said that without any investigation, he could not prosecute anyone.
Another dilemma, he said, was in asking the police to investigate themselves.
“That is what was attempted. But, unfortunately, there have been no effective answers. We are no wiser today, three or four years later about why they went missing, apart from the Suhakam reports.
“It is a sad day for Malaysia, I am really sorry that we could not do anything about it during our time,” he said.
On the recent issues of the Timah whisky and 4D gaming outlets ban, Thomas said many lawyers are eager to pursue the case in court for free, but no petitioner was willing to step up.
He also said the issue of requiring freight companies to give up 51% of their shares to Bumiputeras was also an unlawful policy that ought to be brought to court.
Thomas said the continued hesitation by people to take such cases to court was “a real commentary on Malaysians”.
“Part of this is also self-afflicted by Malaysians. There is a climate of fear. They are worried about taking matters to court,” he said. - FMT

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