Did Thomas pre-plan charges against Najib before becoming AG?

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Thomas Did Not Pre-Plan Charges Against Najib Before Becoming AG

A lawyer representing former Attorney General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas argued in court that Datuk Seri Najib Razak's lawsuit alleging abuse of power was a "collateral attack" and an abuse of the court process. The lawsuit, which claims Thomas pre-planned charges against Najib since 2012 and lobbied for the AG position, is unsustainable and should be struck out, according to Thomas's legal team.
Allegations of Pre-Planning and Lobbying

Najib's suit claims that Thomas had pre-planned the charges against him as early as 2012 and simultaneously lobbied to become Attorney General in anticipation of a change in government. Najib also asserted that Thomas interfered with and influenced investigations into his cases and made public statements about him after charges were filed. Furthermore, Najib alleged that Thomas suppressed evidence that could have aided his defense.
Court's Consideration of Abuse of Process

Thomas's lawyer contended that the elements of recklessness and abuse of power in Najib's misfeasance claim would necessitate a determination of whether Thomas abused his authority or acted with indifference when preferring charges. These issues, the lawyer argued, relate directly to the merits of the ongoing criminal cases, which have yet to be decided. The particulars of how Thomas allegedly acted recklessly or abused his powers were not sufficiently detailed in Najib's statement of claim.
Alternative Legal Avenues Suggested

Thomas's legal representative suggested that if Najib believed the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) charges were incorrect, he should have initiated judicial review proceedings to have them struck out. This approach was compared to a process employed by a former director of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) in an unrelated matter. The lawyer emphasized that Najib has not been acquitted in his ongoing trials related to 1MDB, the 1MDB audit report, the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) case, or a separate SRC International trial. Therefore, he cannot pursue this civil action.

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Did Thomas pre-plan charges against Najib before becoming AG?

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