'No comment' - former AG Thomas on ex-regional arbitration chief’s legal letter
Former attorney general Tommy Thomas declined to comment over a legal letter demanding his apology and RM10 million compensation over the alleged malicious prosecution of former Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) director N Sundra Rajoo.
Thomas, who is back to private legal practice, was responding to yesterday’s media reports over Sundra Rajoo’s letter of demand for him (Thomas) and eight MACC officials to issue a written apology and pay RM10 million over purported misfeasance of public office and malicious prosecution.
“No comment,” the nation’s former public prosecutor told Malaysiakini this morning.
On April 30 this year, the Federal Court ruled that Sundra Rajoo is entitled to immunity from prosecution for alleged acts committed while in office.
As far back as March 11, 2019, Sundra Rajoo had gone to the Kuala Lumpur High Court to uphold his immunity from arrest and prosecution for alleged offences committed while in office.
Over two weeks later on March 26, he was still hauled before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, where he claimed trial to three charges of criminal breach of trust involving RM1,011,367.50.
Thomas was then the attorney-general during the then Pakatan Harapan administration.
However in January last year, the Sessions Court quashed the criminal case against him.
Former Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) director N Sundra Rajoo
Through a letter of demand dated two days ago, Sundra Rajoo sought for Thomas and the eight MACC officials to abide by his demands, or at least raise a reasonable counter-offer within 14 days.
The former regional arbitration chief claimed that his detention and prosecution were illegal and declared he would file a lawsuit if his demands are not met in the two-week deadline.
“Those acts were committed by you jointly, by common design, or in conspiracy, with the aim of, and the result that, our client suffered tremendous injury and loss,” claimed the legal letter sent by law firm Cheok Ng Lee Law Chambers.
It contended that Sundra Rajoo suffered loss of reputation, integrity and goodwill.
The letter claimed that he also suffered loss of income when he was forced to resign as deputy chairperson of the FIFA adjudicatory chamber and as member of the Monetary Penalty Review Committee.
According to the letter of demand, Sundra Rajoo seeks for Thomas and the eight MACC officials each to issue a written apology to him, and to pay RM10 million in compensation jointly or severally.
Nice Job Where YOu Can Do No Wrong. Even the Top Boss of FIFA don't have Immunity. What's so special about AIAC?
ReplyDeleteAnd Immunity is usually given to people (eg diplomats) when they are working in the foreign country, not when they are working in their home country, like in this case.
And What's This Nonsense About "No One Is Above The Law"...?
QUOTE
Sepp Blatter gets new six-year ban from football after Fifa investigation
Wed 24 Mar 2021
The former Fifa president Sepp Blatter has been given a new ban of six years and eight months from football, the game’s global governing body has announced.
The ban has been imposed for multiple breaches of Fifa’s ethics code and comes into force when a current suspension ends in October, Fifa said. The same length of suspension has been imposed on the organisation’s former secretary general Jérôme Valcke. Both men have been fined 1m Swiss francs (almost £780,000), Fifa said.
A statement from Fifa read: “The investigations into Messrs Blatter and Valcke covered various charges, in particular concerning bonus payments in relation to Fifa competitions that were paid to top Fifa management officials, various amendments and extensions of employment contracts, as well as reimbursement by Fifa of private legal costs in the case of Mr Valcke.”
Blatter was found to have accepted undue economic benefits totalling 23m Swiss francs (just under £18m) and approved payments or bonuses of a further CHF46m to other officials.
The adjudicatory chamber of Fifa’s ethics committee found Blatter, 85, in breach of rules concerning duty of loyalty, conflicts of interest and offering or accepting gifts or other benefits. Valcke, 60, was found to have breached those same ethics code articles, plus abuse of position.
Valcke was found to have accepted undue benefits worth CHF30m – 9m in relation to the 2010 World Cup, 10m in relation to the 2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and 11m in relation to the 2017 Confederations Cup and 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Blatter, whose behaviour the ethics committee described as “completely reprehensible”, and Valcke have been banned from involvement in the game since 2015.
UNQUOTE
A diplomat enjoys "immunity" by the host country where he is working. When he is in his home country he does not have any immunity. So why this person enjoys immunity when he is in his home country?
ReplyDeleteNo Comment is the correct form when it involves a legal letter.
ReplyDeleteAny issues to be trashed out between lawyers or in court.
Not like Najib , every day making insinuations regarding his court cases and IRB cases on Facebook.
By right Najib should be charged with Contempt of Court.