Why not write about Guan Eng and Azmin, says Umno man

February 2, 2021

PETALING JAYA: Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi has questioned why former attorney-general Tommy Thomas did not mention the Lim Guan Eng or Mohamed Azmin Ali cases in his newly-released memoirs, which has garnered widespread attention.

Puad questioned Thomas’ motives in revealing stories such as those involving then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, controversial preacher Zakir Naik and the court cases involving fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim and 12 people accused of links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Puad said Thomas’ memoirs showed he had wanted to feel justified about his actions while in office, adding that Thomas was ashamed of not being able to hold the position for a full term.

Thomas was appointed as attorney-general in 2018 after Pakatan Harapan took power. He resigned early last year when the PH government fell.

Puad described Thomas as the worst attorney-general in Malaysian history, and said Thomas’ revelations had shown that he was a political appointee of the DAP.

“But it’s weird, why didn’t he write about Lim? Why didn’t he reveal how Lim’s case was dropped? It’s impossible that he didn’t refer the matter to Mahathir before the case was thrown out,” said Puad.

Lim and a businesswoman, Phang Li Khoon, were charged with corruption over Lim’s purchase of a bungalow, allegedly at below market price but the prosecution withdrew the charges in September 2018 and applied for a conditional discharge. However, the judge granted a full acquittal.

Puad also raised the question of allegations made against former PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, after a video clip was made public allegedly showing two men allegedly engaging in gay sex. Azmin was implicated by a former PKR member as being involved.

“Tommy also didn’t touch on the issue of Azmin. By right, he should have asked the Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador whether the video really was blurred,” Puad said

Puad said it was good that Thomas had resigned as attorney-general last year as he was DAP’s appointment, adding that then home minister Muhyiddin Yassin disliked the party and held a grudge against Thomas for dropping the charges against those with alleged links to LTTE.

In his memoirs, “My Story: Justice in the Wilderness”, Thomas had revealed that the cases against DAP personalities allegedly linked to LTTE had been dropped after Mahathir was satisfied with his explanation about the decision to do so.

Yesterday, former prime minister Najib Razak questioned if Mahathir had intervened in the decision to prosecute Umno figures on criminal charges, and whether he had also had cases against Lim and others to be dropped.