Govt to submit Tommy Thomas memoir RCI member list to Agong

The government will submit the list of Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) members to investigate the book written by Tommy Thomas, entitled 'My Story: Justice in the Wilderness' said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the name list will be tabled by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said to the cabinet.

The government will also obtain the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, he said.

“The Cabinet approved the establishment of the RCI, but a task force was created, but Tommy Thomas took legal action against the task force members. So the basis of the details contained in the task force may be backed up by the new RCI members who have not yet been appointed.

"I feel that the minister of law and institutional reform should submit a name list to the cabinet to get the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for this RCI to speed up their work," he said.

He said this after opening the 15th annual general meeting of the Makkal Sakti Party (MSP) in Kuala Lumpur today.

Azalina previously said the government approved establishing the RCI to comprehensively examine issues related to the integrity and independence of the country's judiciary and legislation.

The book was written by Tommy Thomas and was published in January 2021.

It became controversial when the former attorney-general in his book claimed to have held discussions with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad when both were in government. This is regarding the appointment of the Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal and Chief Justice Sabah and Sarawak.

Senator post

At the MSP annual general meeting, Zahid, also the BN chairman, said he would consider giving a senator post to the Friends of BN.

He also called on all BN component parties and Friends of BN to support the unity government's efforts to eradicate poverty.

"The problem of urban poverty is not only an Indian problem. The Malays and Chinese also have urban poor, so the prime minister's (Anwar Ibrahim) desire to eradicate extreme poverty must have everyone's support.

“This is a national agenda, not a political one," he said.

Earlier, in his speech, MSP president R S Thanenthiran requested Zahid to consider the position of Senator to the party's leaders in appreciating the spirit of comradeship shown for almost 15 years.

He also requested MSP’s application to become a BN component partner be scrutinised.

- Bernama

Puad wants Thomas RCI expedited for Najib and justice's sake

COMMENT | What is Azalina’s beef against Tommy Thomas?

Blast from the past: Thomas interviews Karpal, Sri Ram

ADUN SPEAKS | Task force on Thomas’ memoir mala fide in nature

Thomas to appoint new lead counsel for suit against govt, task force

Ambiga and Siti Kasim fume, question if deal was struck over Thomas' probe