A-G mulls charging those who leak A-GC information

KUALA LUMPUR: Attorney-General Tommy Thomas is mulling bringing charges against those in the Attorney-General’s Chambers (A-GC) who are leaking information or sabotaging the agency.

However, he admitted that there was a lack of evidence for him to initiate the action.

Thomas, speaking at the 2018 International Malaysia Law Conference, said some individuals who were still loyal to the previous administration tried to hamper institutional reforms within the A-GC.

“It is a general problem facing the entire administration, not just the A-GC. Many ministers I have spoken to have raised the same issue.

“The problem persists as a consequence of a one-party rule for six decades.”

Thomas issued a warning to the individuals, including civil servants, that action would be taken if they were found to have leaked sensitive information.

He said those who knew him were aware of the importance he placed on confidentiality.

His “obsession” with confidentiality, he said, even saw his law partners being kept out of the loop over his dealings.

“This (the leaks) is something I have been telling the A-GC for two months, but it seems not to be working at all. The problem remains as the lack of evidence becomes an obstacle for me.”

He was referring to media reports which claimed that Malaysia had engaged a Singapore law firm to recover billions of ringgit from 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s monies, which were supposedly held in Singapore.

The monies, claimed the report, were kept under the names of 53 individuals, including fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low.

It is a general problem facing the entire administration, not just the A-GC. Many ministers I have spoken to have raised the same issue.

The problem persists as a consequence of a oneparty rule for six decades.

TOMMY THOMAS

Attorney-general