In his speech at Umno’s general assembly here today, Asyraf accused Thomas of intending to tarnish the party’s reputation by selectively prosecuting Umno leaders.
“Let it be a lesson to all that Umno will never bow to threats, beg for sympathy nor kneel down to injustice,” he said.
Under Thomas, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) charged multiple Umno leaders in court with various offences. They included former prime minister Najib Razak and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Recently, Johor Bahru Umno chief Shahrir Samad was freed from his RM1 million money laundering charge, after the prosecution said it did not wish to continue with the case.
The Umno veteran was charged under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla) with receiving RM1 million from Najib in 2013 and not declaring the sum to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). The funds were alleged to have originated from 1MDB.
Previously, the court was told by a prosecution witness that Thomas had insisted that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) charge Shahrir even though their probe papers were incomplete.
Yesterday, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said announced that the Cabinet had agreed to set up a royal commission of inquiry to look into the claims in Thomas’ controversial memoir.
A special task force formed to look into allegations in Thomas’ book had initially identified 19 issues and recommended criminal charges against the lawyer.
These issues were later narrowed down to four main categories – allegations levelled against the judiciary, exposing government secrets, abuse of power and professional negligence, and seditious statements.
Thomas’ book was published in January 2021 and drew criticism from several quarters, including current Attorney-General Idrus Harun, lawyers, politicians and the general public, leading to the filing of numerous police reports.
Among others, Thomas claimed in his book that he had discussions with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, when both were in office, on the appointments of the chief judge, the president of the Court of Appeal and the chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak.
Last October, police said they were completing an investigation into Thomas for alleged sedition and other suspected offences related to the allegations in his memoir.
Thomas is also under investigation for supposedly publishing official secrets, abuse of power, making false statements, and disclosure of information.
We are live on Telegram, subscribe here for breaking news and the latest announcements.