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Yoursay: Monumental tasks ahead for Tommy Thomas
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YOURSAY | ‘Our country is in good hands with him as our AG.’

AG Tommy Thomas talks about his first 100 days

StraightTalk: At last, the country has an attorney-general who is fully transparent and truthful.

Malaysians must acknowledge and appreciate the monumental tasks and the huge challenges that Tommy Thomas and his entire team at the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) are facing to bring the 1MDB saga to an end and prosecute all involved in the world's biggest kleptocracy case.

It is truly heartening to note that the AGC is fully independent and there is no interference from the prime minister and his cabinet colleagues.

There is real hope that the Pakatan Harapan government will implement badly-needed law reforms.

Unspin: After this Thomas interview, there should be no doubt that we have one of the most, if not, most qualified and professional AG.

Thomas' answers are lucid and surprisingly candid. There is also no doubt that if forced to do improper things by the executive, he will most likely resign due to his integrity.

However, the sad fact is that the Hadis, Annuars, Lokmans and Jamals will never accept Thomas due to his religion and colour of his skin.

Hope: What a breath of fresh air.

Instead of the typical "tai-chi" or "we will get back to you" response from most of the high-ranking Malaysian government servants from the previous government when being interviewed, Thomas is knowledgeable, organised, focus, precise, meticulous, understands the separation of powers, proper delegation of work, not looking for fame, responsive, not shy away from the tough questions, and at the same time, speaking the type of language (instead of typical lawyer talk) where everyone understands.

Our country is in good hands with him as our AG.

Cogito Ergo Sum: This is an excellent insight into the work of the AG after the debacle with the previous one.

What is heartening is that Thomas is brutally honest about the task ahead and the complex nature of the work in prosecuting a multi-layered case like 1MDB that has many international jurisdictions.

What stands out in this interview is how professional Thomas is and the petty politicking does not perturb him. And his candour on PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad is very reassuring.

Mission Accomplished: No one will envy you, my good man. The battle against the evil and corrupted souls have to continue and the problems facing the nation must be addressed.

Great events do not happen by accident but are carefully planned and executed. Tommy Thomas, you are our admired man of the hour.

May our Lord grant you the wisdom and fairness in your difficult endeavour. May Malaysia rise again to its former glory.

David Dass: Good interview. It reveals much that the public needed to know, as to process, the status of investigations, the prospect of early prosecutions and recovery of assets and most important of all - the commitment to reform by Mahathir.

AG wants ministries, stakeholders to help speed up law reforms

Wg321: I can bravely say most of the over 350 lopsided procurement contracts and others were given to Umno cronies who are rent-seekers, including Umno MPs. Then they subcontracted them to others to do the actual work.

This also applies to the other 46 huge contracts like highway contracts, services contracts, PFIs (private finance initiatives) which are build-lease-maintain-and-transfer, ports, etc.

I can remember an Umno MP who was given a huge contract to build UiTM campuses, especially in Perak. Today he is a multi-millionaire who behave like an extremist in the name of ‘ketuanan Melayu’, ‘agama’ and ‘raja’.

The Wakandan: Thank you, Malaysiakini, for the interview with the AG. His disclosure of many of the issues, though he does not have to, is of public interest.

This is also about being transparent too. What we had suspected all along - that ministers and politicians were bulldozing and bullying civil servants into making unethical decisions - is proven here.

For example, the lopsided contracts that knowingly favoured the contractors and the hidden costs, which in fact known by our ministers but was purposely hidden to make the projects look cheaper.

That was the price of opacity in governance. It allows the devil to take over.

Ponmalai: Thomas has actually educated the public with down-to-earth explanations given in simple English. As a layperson, I have a better understanding of how and why things are done.

Jasmine: Yes, a very good interview indeed. Transparent and clear. Thomas is proving himself to be worthy of the trust placed upon him.

A strong-willed man guided equally by strong morals will not wilt under pressures or unjust criticisms.

It’s also heartening to hear him praise his staff and say that he has the support of his juniors in the Chambers. That’s very, very crucial, and if united as such, no outside forces would be able to disrupt his arduous tasks ahead.

Redmann: Thomas has brilliantly outlined the major parameters for law reform, which not only serves the rule of law but the course and cause of justice.

Two things that are crucial is to reintroduce the jury system and to grant voters the right to select and elect their judges. This will be a true manifestation of ‘kedaulatan rakyat’ (peoples' sovereignty) which has been submerged for almost three decades.

Like Thomas says, the fear of government should no longer be a stentorian sentinel to free speech and the freedom of the press.

Kader: Indeed, honest and down to earth. But enormous tasks ahead. Wishing you all the best. God bless you.


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