Tommy Thomas' Ex-Employee On Why The New A-G Is "One Of The Best Bosses" She's Ever Had
She called Thomas "one of the best bosses I've ever had."
By Katrina Khairul Azman — 06 Jun 2018, 01:55 PM
Yesterday, 5 June, Tommy Thomas was officially appointed as Malaysia's new Attorney-General.
A Facebook post by an ex-employee commending her former boss for his work ethic has since gone viral.
At the time of writing, the Facebook post written by Ashikin Rahim has garnered over 20,000 likes and over 11,000 shares.
Ashikin, who worked at Tommy Thomas Advocates & Solicitors from 2009 until 2013, described Thomas as a principled and disciplined employer
"He is the strictest person I've ever known," she said, highlighting his punctuality as an example.
Though court cases only began at 9 am, Ashikin wrote that, "I remember feeling panic every time I reached court after 8.30 am because I knew he'd always be there by 8 am or 8.15 am."
She also said that the constitutional law expert never let the phones in the firm ring more than three times, and that he "always promptly updates clients before and after the case."
Calling Thomas "one of the best bosses I've ever had", Ashikin revealed how the new A-G and his partners "took really good care" of the firm's employees
She highlighted the occasions in which the staff were treated to expensive meals, holidays, bonuses, and "duit dapat anak" (allowance after having children).
"I even got a fat cheque for my wedding gift and the bosses came all the way to Kuantan," Ashikin said.
The ex-employee reasoned that this is why Thomas' firm's turnover rate is "very low", as many members of its staff have worked there for over a decade.
Praising his talents in the courtroom, Ashikin said that, "There is really no way of cheating him in court, he knows the law too well"
She also wrote that Thomas "knows the federal constitution inside and out," calling him an avid reader of law journals and likening his home library to "a small state library."
Ashikin also recounted the many pro bono (work without charge) public interest litigation cases she worked on alongside Thomas.
From fighting for the rights of residents' associations to poor people aggrieved by bad investments, she said that her former boss had once said that, "someone must fight for this lot," even if the odds were not in their favour.
In closing, Ashikin said Thomas was the best lawyer she has ever known
Acknowledging the fact that Thomas is a non-Muslim A-G, a matter which sparked controversy earlier in the week, Ashikin assured readers that there are experts in the legal field who can assist him in Islamic matters, such as the special shariah law unit in the Attorney-General Chambers.
"Since we cannot change what has been approved by the Palace, let's live with it, with an understanding and positive view," she said.
