Thumbs up for Thomas

PETALING JAYA: Lawmakers and armed forces veterans yesterday welcomed the appointment of Tommy Thomas as the new attorney-general (AG).
The National Patriots Association (Patriot) extended its support to the government on Thomas' appointment.
"The argument against his appointment by certain quarters that he is an Indian and Christian is parochial, racist, cocooned from the previous era of racial politics and has no place in today's Malaysia," said Patriot president Brig-Gen (R) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji.
Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah expressed optimism, saying that she believes Thomas "is the best Malaysian for the position at this moment and I trust that he will carry out the duties of the AG dutifully".
"I would also like to thank the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for recognising the provisions in Article 145 (1) of the Federal Constitution that stated the right to appoint the AG rests in the powers of the prime minister.
"Now that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has given his consent, I urge all Malaysians to respect this decision and move past the issue of appointing the AG based on race.
"I also hope Thomas' appointment will be yet another positive step towards reforming the country's institutions," she said.
Malaysian Bar president George Varughese also congratulated the appointment, saying Thomas is the first practising lawyer to be appointed directly to the position.
"The Malaysian Bar is confident that, as the AG, Tommy Thomas will remain true to the principles and essence of the Malaysian Bar, and continue to uphold the rule of law and the cause of justice without fear or favour," Varughese said in a statement.
Earlier, former attorney-general Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali gave a word of caution to Thomas on his new position.
"Congratulations. All the best. Good luck in the hot seat. It is not a walk-in-the-park job. It is a tough one," he told theSun yesterday.
Legal experts have also hailed Thomas' new role.
Lawyers for Liberty executive director Eric Paulsen described the appointment as "an excellent choice".
"His leadership at the AG's Chambers will be crucial as there are much needed reforms that are being planned by the PH government as promised in its manifesto. I am sure he will do well to right all the previous wrongs, restore accountability and the rule of law," he told theSun.
Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 in a statement said the people should be proud of the move "as it reaffirms the Federal Constitution as the supreme law of the land and the spirit of democracy, the rule of law and constitutional monarchy being upheld by all state institutions".