“They take their time and our function (as prosecutors) only begins when they hand over the investigation papers to the Attorney-General’s Chambers,” he said.
Thomas said as AG, who doubled up as the public prosecutor in criminal proceedings, he had no power over investigation work carried out by law enforcement agencies like the police and the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“We have no power and I am reluctant to disturb them,” Thomas said during a special session with Malaysian Bar members.
The event is part of the four-day International Malaysia Law Conference held at a hotel here.
Thomas’s response came following a question posed by Malaysian Bar president George Varughese that the public were impatient as no prosecution was forthcoming in relation to the 1MDB case.
He said former prime minister Najib Razak was only charged with seven charges of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering in relation to SRC International, a former subsidiary of the state investment fund which is now placed under the Minister of Finance Inc.
Thomas said in the SRC case, prosecution was carried four weeks after he received the investigation papers from the MACC.
“I issued a press statement on the matter,” he said, adding that the public would be duly informed if there were developments in relation to 1MDB.
Thomas said he had no intention at the moment to issue special licences to lawyers to conduct prosecution as the AGC had sufficient talent among its deputy public prosecutors (DPPs).
“There are 500 to 600 DPPs all over the country and they have the ability to conduct prosecution,” he said, adding that it was a question of placing trust and confidence in his officers.
However, he said lawyer Sitpah Selvaratnam was appointed to represent the government and 1MDB over the seizure of luxury yacht, Equanamity, as she is the leading authority in admiralty law.
“She was appointed because the AGC did not have expertise in shipping law,” he said, adding that it was a sensitive and delicate decision.