AG Tommy Thomas: My role in school was to be a naughty student.
KUALA LUMPUR: Attorney General Tommy Thomas reveals that he was mischievous in his schooldays and spent numerous times at detention classes in Victoria Institution.
“So what am I doing up here (as the guest of honour)?” he asked at the school’s 125th anniversary dinner here on Saturday.
Thomas, 66, who assumed the post of AG in June, candidly spoke about his younger days.
“My role in school was to be a naughty student, full of mischief,” he said.
“We (he and his schoolmates) were playing pranks all the time, even using short cuts during cross-country (running), and so on,” he quipped.
As such, Thomas questioned, tongue-in-cheek, why he was chosen to be the special guest at the event.
“When there are thousands of outstanding students and an equal number of success stories in later life, my choice is an utterly undeserving and surprising one. But I am grateful and privileged,” he added.
Introduced as the “whale killer” due to his task of prosecuting the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, Thomas said he entered VI 54 years ago, in January 1964.
He said it was a “fabulous decade to grow up” in the 1960s.
“Musically, we were dominated by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan,” he said.
He said the school served as a sanctuary during times of uncertainty, referring to the 1960s – the formation of Malaysia, the Indonesian Confrontation, the exit of Singapore and later the May 13 riots.
Thomas said the school principal imposed strict discipline, which was helped by equally strict teachers and prefects.
“This created a competitive environment where merit was awarded. Race and religion were wholly irrelevant and bygone verbs,” he said, adding that students were encouraged to build friendships.
Thomas was a hit at the dinner as other Victorians and teachers took “selfies” with him.
“Of course, we are proud of him,” said alumni David Lian, who is managing director of Zeno Group.
“He reflects the quality of being a Victorian, in serving the nation. We are all behind him.”
Shanti Purushothman, an English teacher at the school, said Thomas expressed his concerns over the standard of English in schools.
“He hopes all educators will strive to raise the level of English in schools,” she said.