FORMER prime minister Najib Razak has filed a civil lawsuit against former Attorney-General Tommy Thomas and the Malaysian government at the Kuala Lumpur High Court claiming that he was “maliciously prosecuted”.

The Pekan MP said Tommy used his former office to act against him  “wrongfully, maliciously and in bad faith”, as well as “gone above and beyond his powers” to prejudge him and interfere with investigations.

In the statement of claim filed on October 22 sighted by The Malaysian Insight, Najib said facts showed that the charges against him were “part of a long planned, premeditated exercise by Tommy Thomas” which is “in line with the plan of the then government” (referring to Pakatan Harapan).

“Tommy has consistently been prejudiced against Najib before he was appointed AG, during his time in office and continuing after he left. Tommy made up his mind to prosecute Najib even before studying the case.

“On the first day as AG, he said that his main priority is to study the 1MDB matter and to institute civil and criminal proceedings against the relevant persons. This was in line with the government’s manifesto,” the claim stated.

Tommy was the AG from June 4, 2018 to February 28, 2020. He is now a civil practice lawyer.

Najib claimed that he was wrongfully charged over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case, the International Petroleum Investment Company case, the alleged abuse of power under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and the alleged money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

Najib also said that Tommy, in breaching his duty, had caused him to suffer losses and the government is vicariously liable for Tommy’s wrongdoings as a government servant.

He also said he had suffered a loss of reputation and injury to his political career, loss of liberty under custody of authorities’ investigations, and had endured pain, suffering and trauma till today.

The former PM also said he suffered a financial loss amounting to  RM1,941,988.

He said these “aggravated” and “exemplary” damages ought to be awarded to him.

Law firm Raj, Ong & Yudistra is representing Najib.

The High Court has fixed the case for mention on November 19.

In February, Najib had said he was prepared to take action against Tommy, including suing him for defamation and for contempt of court.

It was later reported that Najib had filed a letter of demand against Tommy. – October 26, 2021.