COMMENT | Of being an attorney-general

COMMENT | In a recent interview with Astro Awani, former attorney-general Tommy Thomas was asked if there will be another non-Malay attorney-general in future.

This is a very provocative and highly sensitive question that can only ignite emotional debates, given its explicit racial element. Every right-minded Malaysian would be entitled to participate in addressing this question. So I have absolutely no issue for Thomas (above) to address this question and speak his mind, just as I am entitled to do likewise. But I am appalled by the views he expressed.

He said there was no reason why not if the prime minister of the day wanted to choose the best and the brightest. In that cabinet of the future Thomas went on to postulate, there will be 10 Chinese, five Indians and five from Sabah and Sarawak.

My goodness, this brash and arrogant lawyer thinks only non-Malays are smart and bright enough, worthy of becoming an attorney-general or ministers in the cabinet. He described himself as “Pakatan AG “ yet could not speak Bahasa to save his life. It is reported that he regarded lawyers in the AG's Chambers as incompetent. No wonder he was despised by many lawyers in his own department.

Unfortunately, this despicable remark showed utter contempt and insensitivity to Malays. The brightest and the smartest he was looking for are not attributes or qualities that belong solely and exclusively to non-Malays.

The quality that is most difficult to find in a good AG is impartiality, integrity, honesty and not afraid to say no to “directives” from the prime minister. Did we see those qualities in Thomas?

But he publicises himself well. He wrote a memoir soon after he resigned (and his partner wrote a book about how to get a judgment in default when selling a superyacht belonging to Jho Low ). Thomas now gets invited to speak at forums and even lectures us about the best and the brightest on Astro Awani.

However, the simple and stark truth is that he was chosen to be AG because DAP wanted him as AG. Not because he was the best around. Credit to him, he lobbied hard for the post. He wanted it very...