KUALA LUMPUR: Tommy Thomas today said that he felt humbled by his appointment as Attorney-General (AG), which carries with it, an “awesome responsibility.”
When met by media representatives who had waited for him outside his law firm at Jalan Ara here Tuesday, he was all smiles when congratulated on news of his appointment.
“Thank you very much but I rather not comment until I receive the official letter which I think will come in a couple of days. So I think it is premature for me to comment but thank you for showing the interest. I am humbled but it is an awesome responsibility,” said Thomas.
Thomas was responding to a Bernama report early this morning, which had reported that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V has given his consent to the experienced lawyer’s appointment as the new AG.
The 66-year-old would be taking over from Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, who is on one-month leave.
When asked on whether he would assume his duties as AG at Putrajaya tomorrow, he said that it would take at least a few days before that could happen.
“I will not take the office tomorrow morning as I mentioned before. It will take a few days to work out (the process of his appointment).
“What I can confirm is that I am not going to the office (AG’s Chambers in Putrajaya) tomorrow,” said the veteran litigator with 42 years of experience in commercial and asset recovery cases.
He, however, did reveal that he met Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad this morning.
The Prime Minister was among those who proposed to Sultan Muhammad V for Thomas to be made the new AG.
“I met the Prime Minister this morning and I will see him again tomorrow.”
When informed that Apandi had congratulated him on his new appointment, Thomas expressed his thanks.
Reports by Hidir Reduan, Farah Marshita Abdul Patah, Fahmy Azril Rosli, and Rahmat Khairulrijal