Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad wrote to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to request the removal of Apandi Ali, the Attorney-General, and replace him with the constitutional expert and respected lawyer, Tommy Thomas. The letter from Dr Mahathir was written around two weeks ago.
Thomas is also the unanimous choice of all the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders. His appointment would reassure the business world and the international community and signal to them, that PH means business and is serious about the reforms of its institutions, which the coalition promised, before GE-14.
Thomas’ litigation skills and experience would enable the efficient prosecution of those involved in the 1MDB scandal.
Sadly, Dr Mahathir’s request has not been dealt with.
The Cabinet and PM’s request has been denied
Instead the PM has been told to reject Thomas and consider other names, including a former high court judge and a serving court of appeal judge.
Why should Dr Mahathir and his Cabinet do that?
What is the point of reform and of meritocracy if the last word belongs to someone else? Why?
One political observer said, “The rakyat is not stupid. They first noted the delay, for the swearing-in of the new Prime minister, the day after GE-14, when the results were announced. They rakyat noticed the dragging of the palace officials’ feet. They were also denied a proper celebration for victory that day; instead they were left wondering about the silence and delay. Tempers were running high. They had waited 61 years to get rid of the oppressive, Umno-Baru.
“Today’s revelation, about the delayed appointment of the new Attorney General will disappoint the rakyat further.
“The rakyat won in GE-14, despite the cheating, the voter manipulation, the dedak, the complicity of various officials in the Election Commission and the Registrar of Societies, the bribes and the threats of violence.
“Now this! The rakyat is like a dragon which has been awakened from its slumber. It is hungry and wants to flex its muscles.”
The replacement Attorney-General should be Malay/Muslim
The Malaysian Insight claimed that “…other Malay rulers have also supported the King’s position, adamant that the A-G should be a Malay/Muslim.”
This is a shocking revelation.
In 21 st Malaysia, there is no place for racism. Those who are at the top, of society and government, should set an example.
There are only Malaysians in Malaysia.
The King is the ruler of all his subjects. He cannot be only king of the Malays. He cannot cherry-pick his subjects.
The new Malaysia
We now live in a Malaysia that is based on meritocracy, not privilege, patronage or nepotism.
When the rakyat voted PH to power, they voted for radical change.
Dr Mahathir was given the mandate to rule Malaysia. He, his Cabinet and whatever appointments they make, should be respected.
We are not living in the middle ages. There are no more fiefdoms. Today’s rakyat is a thinking one. They are not afraid to speak out and act if necessary, as they did in GE-14.
The rakyat wanted change and they achieved it.
The ones who oppose the new Malaysia, cannot stop the tide; it may wax and wane but it is inexorable.
The rakyat has suffered, sacrificed and kept silent for too long.
An attempt to stop them now, would be futile and bound to fail.
Mahathir will lead Malaysia into the 21st Century
Dr Mahathir, and his Cabinet, have been given the mandate to lead Malaysia into the 21st Century.
Everyone, without exception, should let the PM continue the job.
Many of us thought that the sultans would help the rakyat get rid of Umno-Baru’s corruption and cronyism.
The recent revelations show that our trust has been misplaced.
Is this Najib’s work. Is this his plan to destroy the country?
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall;
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
I think you all have forgotten the super talented Lingam. He is world famous and even have a ringtone culled from his famous telephone conversation, “correct, correct correct.” How good is that? As well he is multi talented appearing before the judge and writing his judgment. No legal practitioner in the world is able to do that. That is not the last of his talent, he even appoint judges to the bench. You cannot get better than that. It is wonder he is not appointed Agong in waiting. He sure can perform all these roles without a flinch of the eye. Please Dr. M, do not forget your good friend, Lingam when you resubmit the names for the Attorney General. He will fit the bill exactly because I am told he is also prepared to sunat or convert.
We voted for Dr M. We support Dr M to the hilt. This country is rotting under an outdated and reclusive system. Time to move forward.
Y? Is a Malay AG will be more just?If that’s the case..why don’t all the judges in courts over malaysia changed to mAlays/Muslim ..and doctors and engineers as welll…disappointing decision made..pls reconsider
We have and always respected the Constitution. But history has proven that we need some changes to be made. We hope His Royal Highness looks into the need for change for the people and the well-being of the country.
The PH government is serious about business. Dr M only wants the best, nothing but the best. We should support him to finish the undone job .
This is like May 10 all over again. There’s no reason to throw a spanner in the works if the appointment is based on meritocracy and adheres to the constitution. Hope PM n PH stand fIrm. Gosh, we need to move forward. Am waiting to sign a petition.
Thomas a lawyer with high integrity and credibility, Sepang MP Hanipa Maidin pointed out that there is no legal or constitutional provision for the AG to be Malay or a Muslim. I agree with Hanipa Maidin we are all sick and tired based on racial and religious appointment. Look Apandi a Malay Muslim speaks volumes of his purported or reeks and smells of corruption and reckless descisions and appointment and was supporting kleptocracy. Or do you want to appoint such people like Shafee Abdullah who was suspected
of receiving part of the 1MDP loot from Najib or the Shafee who prosecuted Anwar Ibrahim and later squealed to the public of camera evidence given. By the way what is happening to this disrespectful man. Why is there no action taken against him. It is high Malaysian citizen speak out loud clear and put a stop all these racial appointments. Go for the best and go for meritocracy. Unless Malaysia is still a pariah country and continue its old ways.
Move with time,
Prince Harry brought in new blood into his family.
If there’s a better candidate of your kind Tun M would have submitted at the onset without hesitation
Don’t restrict your options especially now. We need the best
We have chosen Tun Mahathir to lead the nation and we trust his wisdom so there should be no objection from the constitutional Monarchy… If he’s wrong wait for 5 years….. The citizens know what to do….
Free Malaysia.. we are all Malaysian.. not segregated by race or religion.. we are going into the 21st Century… only competing with the world and not within… We Malaysian can be better then them… ????
I sincerely hope that the royalties have not forgotten how Tun M dealt with their issues in his previous stint as PM4. We would hate to see him do a repeat this time around!!
He was in a position to stand up to the royalty as the government then had a 2/3rd majority which allowed them to amend the Consitution. Not so this time.