According to the sources said to be close to the palace, Sultan Muhammad V had once recommended lawyer Tommy Thomas (pic) to represent the Kelantan government in an oil royalty case against Petronas. — Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 ― Contrary to earlier media reports, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V does not mind that the Attorney-General (AG) is not a Malay or a Muslim but prefers the office bearer to have had experience in the judiciary.

Citing unnamed sources, The Sunday Star claimed today that the choice of senior lawyer Tommy Thomas, an ethnic Indian, was not the issue for his nomination by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“The King’s argument is that he wants somebody who has been a judge or even a retired judge. He does not care whether the AG is an Indian, Chinese or Malay,” one of the sources was quoted saying.

The same source reportedly said the King had suggested four others, including a current Federal Court judge and an Appeals Court judge to Dr Mahathir, for consideration.

According to the sources said to be close to the palace, Sultan Muhammad V had once recommended Thomas to represent the Kelantan government in an oil royalty case against Petronas.

The report further quoted the source saying that the King only wanted an AG who is also able to advise him on Shariah matters, but Dr Mahathir reportedly rebutted the idea, saying that the solicitor-general is able to take on that role.

“However, the King felt that the AG as the top officer should be the one advising him,” another source told The Star.

Groups including Lawyers for Liberty have warned against delaying the appointment of a new AG, saying protracting the issue will disrupt the Pakatan Harapan’s push to implement institutional and legal reforms.

The country is currently without a functioning AG, the incumbent Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali having been put on garden leave.