PUTRAJAYA (June 11): Newly-appointed Attorney-General (A-G) Tommy Thomas will distance himself from handling cases for individuals whom he has served during private practice, said Bar Council president George Varughese. 

This, however, was particularly in the case whereby any conflict of interest arises, Varughese told media after a meeting with Thomas at the Attorney-General’s Chambers here. 

“The A-G assured us that when it comes to people that he may know when he was in private practice, when a situation of conflict [of interests] arises, he would immediately refuse himself from whatever the issues involving these people are, and the Solicitor-General will then step in as the law allows the Solicitor General to do so,” Varughese said. 

Critics have questioned the appointment of Thomas, who has served in private practice for over 40 years, as the Attorney General to replace Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali whose appointment was terminated in May. 

Among high profile cases handled by Thomas’ private firm include that of Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, as well as for the PAS state governments in Kelantan and Terengganu in the oil royalty case against Petronas and the Barisan Nasional federal government in early 2000.