PETALING JAYA: Former attorney-general Tommy Thomas will be investigated for sedition, among others, over various allegations made in his memoirs, says Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Thomas will also be probed under Section 8 of the Official Secrets Act (OSA), Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act and Sections 124(1) and 203A of the Penal Code.
Ismail said a special task force was formed to look into allegations in Thomas’ book, with a focus on four key areas, namely allegations against the judiciary; exposing government secrets, abuse of power and professional negligence; as well as seditious statements.
In a statement, Ismail said the special task force had presented its findings at a Cabinet meeting earlier today.
The book, titled “My Story: Justice in the Wilderness”, was published in January last year.
“The report prepared by the task force over the past nine months has detailed every allegation made by Thomas in his book.
“I have instructed for further investigations to be immediately conducted by the relevant enforcement agencies to probe any possible offences by Thomas.”
Section 4 of the Sedition Act provides for a maximum jail term of three years or a RM5,000 fine, or both, while Section 23 of the MACC Act deals with abuse of power, providing up to 20 years in prison and a fine not less than five times the value of the bribe.
Section 203A of the Penal Code involves disclosure of information obtained in the performance of one’s duties, which provides for up to one year in prison, a maximum RM1 million fine, or both.
Meanwhile, Section 8 of the OSA involves wrongful communication of an official secret, providing for a jail sentence of between one to seven years.
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