Thomas: I tried my best to prevent injustice while in office

Former attorney-general (AG) Tommy Thomas maintained that he tried his best to prevent injustices while in office, right up to his last day.

"I tried my best to do justice and prevent injustice until my last day in office. I am thankful for the privilege to serve," the former chief public prosecutor told FMT.

On his resignation from the post a few months ahead of the expiry of his two-year contract in June, Thomas said it became "incumbent" upon him to do so once Dr Mahatahir Mohamad resigned as prime minister.

"My position as AG was that of a political appointee and made by Dr Mahathir.

"Once the prime minister tendered his resignation, it was incumbent on me to do so because I was appointed by him. It was also important for me to step aside and allow the incoming prime minister to appoint his own AG," he said.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Bar president Abdul Fareed Abdul Gafoor praised Thomas’ service as AG as well as to the Bar Council.

"He was very helpful and consulted the Bar on various matters regarding the law.

"The Bar thanks him for sorting out matters involving the outstanding National Legal Aid Foundation payments for lawyers and also assisting in speeding up the draft of the Legal Profession Bill," Abdul Fareed said to Malaysiakini.

Thomas reportedly tendered his resignation on Feb 28, at the height of the country’s political crisis triggered by the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government and Mahathir’s resignation as premier.

This occurred after Bersatu, led by its president Muhyiddin Yassin, and several PKR MPs, led by former deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali, exited the coalition to join forces with Umno and PAS in the loose Perikatan Nasional coalition.

Mahathir was appointed interim PM until Muhyiddin was eventually sworn in as the country’s eighth prime minister on March 1.