Thomas denies being bribed to release the tycoon's son's drug case

Former attorney general Tommy Thomas dismissed allegations that he was corrupt while handling a criminal case against the son of a well -known businessman, Vincent Tan.

The allegations were made on a Special Edition Twitter account unknown to its operator.

In its tweet, Special Edition claimed one of Tan’s sons was arrested for drug offenses in 2019 but alleged they had already been released by Thomas.

In a statement today, Thomas said that after Tan's son was indicted, the accused's lawyers submitted written representations to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC).

According to Thomas, receiving a written application to reconsider the charge is a “normal occurrence” at the AGC.

“These letters were brought to my knowledge for decision.

“After reviewing the representations and investigation papers, reviewing the relevant legal provisions and discussing with the case officers (all deputy public prosecutors), I remember that I reduced the charges,” he said.

Thomas added that since he did not have access to any documents and files supervised by the party that prepared the investigation papers, he was no longer able to submit any further details.

Even so, he stressed, he had never been corrupt or accepted bribes from Tan or anyone during his tenure as attorney general.

He added that he did not even know Tan before becoming the attorney general, nor did he represent Tan or his business interests.

“The abomination (allegation) and the timing of this attack (made) on my integrity is related to the recent Roger Ng trial in New York, involving the misuse of Malaysian money.

“Politicians and personalities of our country will be featured when evidence is presented during the trial, which has received media coverage around the world.

"Behind this, I am an easy target to distract," he said.

It is understood that Tan's son was sentenced on Feb 10, 2020 by a magistrate in Kuala Lumpur.

At the time, Malaysiakini had tried to get a charge sheet from the deputy public prosecutor, but the request was rejected.

Protesters arrested There are ten days but no contact

Protesters in Mandalay say they have not been able to contact a monk and four others since their arrest on February 9 by members of the military council.

Ko Thura Aung and Ko Pho Lone (b) Ye Zin Tun from the strike group; Freelance journalists Soe Lin Aung and Hla Myo Aung were arrested at a house in Maha Aung Myay Township, while a monk was arrested at the cemetery.

A member of the Mandalay Strike Force told RFA that they have been beaten by military council members since their arrest and have not been able to contact them yet.

"Family members cannot be able to find out where the detainees are being held, nor can their comrades, and they are worried about their health and lives."

He said the military council was responsible for any harm caused to the detainees, who were in good health.

A spokesman for the military council, Deputy Information Minister Gen. Zaw Min Tun, was trying to contact him about the incident.

Residents say at least three arrests have been made in February this year by roadblocks in Maha Aung Myay and Pyigyidagun townships.

On February 12, family members said that Ma Nae Chi Shun Le Tun, a gold shop worker near Man Myo Market in Maha Aung Myay Township, had lost contact with the military since his arrest.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), 9215 people were detained by the military council between February 1 last year and February 18 this year, when the military took power.

Four NagaWorld workers come to clarify the authorities' accusation of obstructing health rules

About 50 NagaWorld workers came to monitor the appearance of the four workers on February 18 at the Phnom Penh Municipal Commissioner, holding The paper reads, "I testify."

Four NagaWorld Workers Appear at Phnom Penh Police Station on Phnom Penh Municipal Court Order Related to Allegations of Obstruction To implement measures to prevent Kovid 19. But the authorities say that this matter has reached the court stage. Civil society groups call on the court to drop the charges and release all detainees so that they can return to the negotiating table Working with NagaWorld Casino Gambling Company.

Four NagaWorld workers, including Ms. Ouk Sopheak Molika, Ms. Meng Kak Nika, Ms. Eng Srey Bo and Ms. Kheng Chenda, appeared at the police station on the afternoon of February 18. Phnom Penh is accused of obstructing health measures to prevent Kovid - 19 disease. After they appeared, accompanied by a lawyer, police officers said the case was out of the hands of the authorities and entered the judge's proceedings. Investigation of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Meanwhile, about 50 NagaWorld workers followed the entry of the four workers, with one standing on a piece of paper saying "I Be a witness.

NagaWorld Worker's lawyer Sam Sokunthea told reporters that she had asked the authorities to help clarify the court order. Indicates that they did appear in accordance with the court's schedule, but this request was rejected by the authorities.

She stated that she will appear in court until a new court order is issued, as the case is in the judicial stage. The investigation code is beyond the jurisdiction and the prosecutor's office : " You came in, you did not run away. I asked The commissioner asked him to help write that he was out of his hands when his brother came, but he said that he did not write. That's it ! As far as I understand, you should remember the summons from the court and there is a summons from the court, you inform the lawyer. The lawyer will go to defend you as requested , as you asked that day .

Four NagaWorld workers say they will appear in court if summoned In the future. They say that the accusation from the Deputy Prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Mr. Seng Heang, is untrue because they and other workers Protesters near the Australian Embassy have donated 19 Kovid samples to doctors on Diamond Island. According to the instructions of the Ministry of Health already.

RFA could not be reached for comment by Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesman I Rin on February 18.

In this regard, LICADHO's Director of General Affairs, Am Sam Ath, who monitors the case, said that the transition from Labor dispute between workers and NagaWorld to issue arrest warrants for union representatives and workers to this court is born Out of labor disputes that the relevant ministries are unable to resolve, ending this issue in accordance with the law.

He said the use of the judiciary to put pressure on NagaWorld workers to end their strike demanded that the company receive a representative. Returning to work with more than 300 workers is not the answer.

He believes that this labor dispute should be resolved through the legal mechanism that the Ministry of Labor has the role of coordinating with the company to expedite the resolution : I think NagaWorld is enough to end the problem together. The resolution of labor disputes is the same as that of Samdech Krala Hom Sar Kheng, who asked all relevant parties to resolve the dispute. Dispute NagaWorld peacefully. And if not, it will be even more difficult for NagaWorld employees to go on strike. "Like the former NagaWorld employee who went on strike, there was no solution and he was arrested again and again . "

On February 9, the Investigating Judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Ms. Ouk Reth Kunthea, issued a temporary detention order for three NagaWorld strikers, Mr. Chuob Channath Mr. Seng Vannarith and Mr. Sok Sambath were imprisoned in Phnom Penh (PJ) on charges of obstructing health rules under Article 11 of the Law on Combating Kovid's disease 19.

The detention decision came after Phnom Penh authorities intercepted them on a warrant issued by Deputy Prosecutor Seng Heang. The night of February 5, when they left the Kovid 19 laboratory at the Koh Pich Center.

As for union representatives and eight other union activists, they are being held in Prey Sar prison on charges of inciting serious chaos. Social security involved a strike in front of NagaWorld in mid-December 2021.

National and international human rights groups demand that the government unconditionally release 11 NagaWorld union representatives, union activists and workers . They asked the relevant ministries to continue to resolve labor disputes at NagaWorld with honesty, fairness, transparency and labor law.