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KUALA LUMPUR: Tommy Thomas’ talent, integrity, legal knowledge and experience means Malaysia has one of the best and brightest barristers as the next attorney-general.

Tommy Thomas Advocates and Solicitors firm partners Sitpah Selvaratnam, Alan A. Gomez and Ganesan Nethi said Thomas’ vast experience in corporate asset recovery would be an asset in recovering monies and assets linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

“This is because Thomas had spent most of his 42 years in practice delving in landmark corporate debt and asset recovery, such as in a recent case, which he had acted for the Securities Commission against Swisscash, the worldwide Ponzi scheme hatched in Malaysia.”

They said Thomas was involved in tracing funds in the Ponzi scheme back to banks in Hong Kong, and the Jersey and British Virgin Islands, obtaining worldwide Mareva injunctions — a court order freezing a debtor’s assets to prevent them being taken abroad — and the largest reparation of funds for the victims of the scheme.

Thomas led the firm’s legal team in two of the bestknown bond recovery cases in Malaysian courts, namely the Pesaka Astana and Aldwich Bhd cases.

“As corporate asset recovery is topical, and with the government focused on recovering assets of 1MDB, there is no doubt in our minds that they have appointed Malaysia’s finest barrister in that field, with the knowledge, experience and industry to lead the 1MDB litigation, whether it be civil or criminal,” the partners said.

They said Thomas brought with him substantial trial and appellate experience, having appeared in all the courts in Malaysia, and on appeals to the Privy Council in the mid-1980s.

They said apart from having acted in Malaysia’s largest and most complex cases, and his long track record in commercial cases, he had a strong public law practice, having acted on major judicial review and constitutional matters. They said a significant percentage of Thomas’ practice had been pro bono.

“He stood by what was just and fair, true and right. So, at a time when our country has resoundingly voted for integrity and accountability, placing Thomas at the helm of the major institution of justice and law is a true mark of commitment to reform.

“While we shall obviously miss him, we are delighted for our country, as Thomas’s talent, integrity, legal knowledge and experience means Malaysia has one of its best and brightest barristers as its next attorney-general. We wish him every success as the new attorney-general.”

Yesterday, Bernama reported that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V had given his consent to the appointment of Thomas as attorney-general.

Thomas would take over from Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, who is on one-month leave.

... at a time when our country has resoundingly voted for integrity and accountability, placing Thomas at the helm of the major institution of justice and law is a true mark of commitment to reform.