Tommy Thomas didn’t agree to plea bargain with Riza - Report
Former attorney-general Tommy Thomas has reportedly disputed MACC’s claim that he had agreed to the plea bargain between the prosecution and movie producer Riza Abdul Aziz.
According to The Malaysian Insight today, Thomas said he was aware that Riza’s lawyers had made representations to his chambers regarding the money laundering charges against their client.
Former attorney-general Tommy Thomas has reportedly disputed MACC’s claim that he had agreed to the plea bargain between the prosecution and movie producer Riza Abdul Aziz.
According to The Malaysian Insight today, Thomas (photo) said he was aware that Riza’s lawyers had made representations to his chambers regarding the money laundering charges against their client.
This was brought to his attention by his special officer Rahayu Mamuzaini, he reportedly said, and he had handed the documents to special prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram after perusing it.
Sri Ram, who was prosecuting the case against Riza, was reportedly told to examine the representations made by Riza’s lawyers, but as far as the prosecution was concerned, nothing happened after this.
“I resigned two and a half months ago and up to that point, there was no agreement to drop charges against Riza. So, it is wholly untrue and fabrication to say that I had agreed to the decision.
“I am terribly disappointed that the MACC had to make this false statement,” The Malaysian Insight quoted Thomas as saying.
Riza (above) is the stepson of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak. Earlier today, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for money laundering involving US$248 million (RM1.08 billion) linked to 1MDB funds.
This is conditional on him returning foreign assets linked to the alleged crime that is worth an estimated US$107.3 million (RM465.3 million). Otherwise, charges may be reinstated against him.
“The agreement between the prosecution and the accused was reached through representations in court is a decision that had been considered and agreed upon by former attorney-general Tommy Thomas,” the MACC said today, regarding the plea bargain.
For the record, Thomas had resigned on Feb 28, ahead of the end of this two-year term in June this year.
He said as a political appointee appointed by Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister, it was incumbent on him to resign when Mahathir resigned.
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