Lawyer groups call on AG to resign for dropping charges against Guan Eng

Attorney General Tommy Thomas. – AP

KOTA BARU: Lawyer groups called for the resignation of Attorney-General Tommy Thomas for dropping corruption charges against Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Young Professionals (CP) chief executive Faidhur Rahman Abdul Hadi and International Women’s Alliance for Family Institution and Quality Education (WAFIQ) Law and Human Rights Bureau head Fatihah Jamhari said they have lost confidence in Thomas for failing to uphold the rule of the law.

“The trend of dropping charges against Pakatan Harapan politicians is a mockery of our rule of law, whereby it gives a wrong reflection to the society that those in power could manipulate the law to their benefit,” said Fatiha.

She said this in response to the court decision to acquit Lim of corruption charges.

Although the decision to drop the charges is at the sole discretion of the AG, it must be used intelligently and critically, so as to not insult public intelligence, said Fatihah.

“At the very least, proffer an explanation why the charges were dropped. Especially considering it has become a glaring trend where cases against Pakatan Harapan politicians are being dropped.

“If this trend continues, it will only perpetuate the very core wrongs we are trying to fix as a society,” said Fatihah.

The groups called on the Bar Council to hold an EGM to discuss the disturbing trend.

Faidhur said laws, including the Constitution, need to be amended to prevent selective prosecution and acquittal of cronies.

“Those associated with the previous Barisan Nasional government, including former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak are being prosecuted, while those associated with the new ruling coalition get away scot-free.

“The whole affair smacks of cronyism at its worst.

“I recall on the night when the new Pakatan Harapan government emerged victorious in the recent General Election, its leader and now our PM, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, promised to abide by the rule of law.

“But instead, what we see happening now is rule by law, and serious lack of accountability.

“And the fact that it is being allowed to happen makes a mockery of our justice system,” said Faidhur.

Faidhur also questioned why Thomas was unwilling to head the prosecution team against Najib, as promised.

Thomas, in a statement on Aug 31, said he was stepping aside as lead prosecutor in the criminal case against the former prime minister as he was unable to devote time to the case.
He appointed Datuk Sulaiman Abdullah to replace him.