Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Malaysia's King, Sultan MuhammadV, has given his consent to the appointment of Tommy Thomas, a non-Muslimfigure, as the new Attorney-General.
In a royal statement announced on June 5, the King called onall Malaysians to accept that the appointment and not let this matter createreligious or racial conflict as every Malaysian should be fairly treatedregardless of race and religion.
He also consented to Tan Sri Apandi Ali’s termination of service asAttorney-General by the federal government. Apandi Ali, who was requested totake a rest since Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad took office, was accused tohide evidence related to the 1MDB fund case.
Local media earlier reported that PM Mahathir Mohamad submitted his proposal tothe King to nominate lawyer Tommy Thomas as Attorney-General to replaceTan Sri Apandi Ali.
Mahathir's nomination faced backlash among the Malay rulers, with the Prime Minister reportedly asked to consider other candidates.
The issue also caused division among the Malaysianpublic as petitions - both objecting and supporting Thomas' nomination -have cropped up.
In the statement, Sultan Muhammad V expressed hisdisappointment and worry about inaccurate and negative media reports whichcould threaten peace and harmony in the country.-VNA