KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 — Federal Court judge Tan Sri Idrus Harun has been appointed as the new attorney general (AG), replacing Tan Sri Tommy Thomas who resigned last week.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced Idrus’ appointment today.

“In accordance with Clause (1) of Article 145 of the Federal Constitution, Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong also approved the appointment of YA Tan Sri Idrus Harun, the Federal Court judge as the new Attorney General for a two-year term effective from March 6, 2020,” the statement read.

The Kedah native was born in 1955, and holds a law degree from Universiti Malaya (UM). He was a deputy draughtsman for Parliament, at the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).

Idrus later served as senior assistant registrar at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, and as a Sessions Court judge in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

He also had a stint as a deputy public prosecutor (DPP) under the Royal Customs and Excise Department, a DPP at the AGC, Terengganu state legal adviser, senior federal counsel at the Election Commission (EC), as well as a DPP at the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), which has since been rebranded as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Idrus also served as the solicitor general in 2006 till 2014, after which he was appointed as a Court of Appeal (COA) judge.

In its statement today, the PMO said that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had, in accordance with Clause (5) of Article 145 of the Federal Constitution, also consented to Thomas’ application to shorten his tenure as the AG, effective February 28, 2020.

“The government is grateful to YBhg Tan Sri Tommy Thomas for his service to the country during his tenure as the attorney general,” the statement read.

On Wednesday, Thomas reportedly said that the reason for his resignation just months before the end of his two-year contract in June was due to the political change in Putrajaya.

Online portal Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported that Thomas stepped down because former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had tendered his own resignation.

He said his decision was in line with tradition in the UK and other mature democracies.

Thomas’ appointment by Dr Mahathir had taken many by surprise after Pakatan Harapan (PH) had won the 2018 general election.

The appointment of a non-Malay and a non-civil servant as AG was considered to be a break from convention.

During his career as AG, Thomas had handled trials related to the 1MDB scandal including those involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former Federal Territories minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

From the start, Thomas’ position was challenged by Umno, PAS and Malay NGOs who were uncomfortable with his position.

After stepping down, he said he wants to take a break but is grateful to Dr Mahathir for giving him the privilege of serving Malaysia.