The Malaysian Insight

IF Tommy Thomas does become the attorney-general (A-G) of Malaysia, he would have had to put up with scrutiny unheard of in the recent history of Malaysia.

Perhaps inquisition is a better word, given the accusations that the senior lawyer has been subjected to since Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad forwarded his name for the A-G’s position 15 days ago.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and his advisors have pushed back on the nomination of the top litigator, arguing that the position of the A-G should be reserved for a Malay since this individual is supposed to advise the King on matters related to shariah law.

Sandwiched between that objection on the grounds of race were some spurious stuff about Thomas. Critics have questioned his loyalty to Malaysia and painted him as an enemy of the monarchy.

‎They have challenged his command of the Malay language and raised red flags over his partiality, saying that he was Lim Guan Eng’s lawyer in a number of cases.

As if those attacks were insufficient, the brains behind those objecting to Thomas’ nomination have also spread false stories about his relationship with his former firm, Skrine and Co.

But in the fake news category, nothing comes close to this nonsense:

Pastor Thomas‎?

In Malaysia, when everything else fails, it is time to play the religious card.

And so, Thomas the lawyer suddenly became Thomas the pastor.

The cabal of instigators knew that being a pastor would be a deal breaker for any key position in Muslim-majority Malaysia. No evidence was provided to support this allegation, only the fact that he attends church!

Here are the facts: Thomas is a Christian and he attends service every Sunday at the Mar Thoma Church‎. For the ignorant, attending church does not make a Christian a pastor or a priest.

It takes years of full-time training to be a pastor or priest and dedicating your life to this ministry is a calling or a vocation.

Thomas is a Christian. And proud to be one. It is his faith handed down by his parents and grandparents and something that shapes his world view.

It says multitudes about the gutter nature of those trying to kill off his chances ‎of becoming the A-G that they are desperate enough to play the incendiary religious card.

If Thomas does become the A-G, perhaps then he can let us know how it felt being put through the inquisition.

It has been one lie after another. – June 3, 2018.