KUALA LUMPUR: A special task force has been formed to investigate allegations made by former Attorney General Tommy Thomas in his book My Story: Justice in the Wilderness.

       Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the Cabinet decided to form the task force to conduct early studies on the allegations before further action is taken.

       “Among Thomas’ allegations that will be investigated are the abuse of power in appointing judges, interference of the executive branch in the judiciary, selective prosecution that is political in nature and breaking the oath of secrecy.

       “The task force will be given six months to produce findings and recommendations to the Cabinet,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had said in his winding-up address for the 12th Malaysia Plan in Parliament on Thursday that the Cabinet would decide if there was a need to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on this.

       On another matter, Ismail Sabri said the government had also decided to form a special task force headed by former Attorney General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali to review laws relating to the Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh case.

       “The task force will conduct thorough research and propose suitable options by getting views from experts on international laws.

       “Such efforts will be aimed at rechecking laws relating to the review and interpretation application of the case.”

       He said the task force would be given six months to produce findings and recommendations for the Cabinet’s further action.

       On May 28, Mohd Hatta Sanuri, 45, sought an order for the government to provide a written explanation as to why they had withdrawn from the review application over the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision that Singapore has sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh.

       Last month, the Kuala Lumpur High Court allowed an application by the PM and the government for a time extension to file their statement of defence against the suit.

       The Prime Minister and the government, as first and second defendants, have until Oct 23 to file their statement of defence.

       Based on the notice of application filed on Sept 7, the defendants had applied for more time on the grounds that the plaintiff’s statement of claim was weighted with matters related to the history of the Pulau Batu Puteh dispute between Malaysia and Singapore since 1979.

       Meanwhile, a special committee will also probe the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim.

       Ismail Sabri said the committee, which would be chaired by Wan Junaidi, would comprise Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun.

       “The committee will be tasked with ensuring a thorough and transparent investigation into Muhammad Adib’s death.”

       He said the formation of the committee showed the government’s commitment towards ensuring justice for Muhammad Adib.

       “The committee has been given six months to produce findings and recommendations that will be tabled at the Cabinet meeting for further action,” he said.

       Muhammad Adib, 24, was a member of the Emergency Medical Rescue Services unit from the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Station.

       He suffered serious injuries during a fracas at a temple in USJ 25, Subang Jaya, on Nov 27, 2018. He died the following month.

       On Sept 27, 2019, the Shah Alam Coroner’s Court ruled that the fireman’s death was the result of a crime committed by two or more unknown persons.