“Although many parties had objected to his (Thomas) appointment, Umno is placing its faith in the wisdom of the King and the Malay rulers,” it said in a statement published on the party’s portal, Umno Online.

The statement issued by its strategic communications unit said Umno would abide by the King’s decree and would ensure there would be no conflict arising from Thomas’s appointment.

Today was Thomas’s first day after taking over the role of AG from Mohamed Apandi Ali.

His nomination as AG had initially met with some resistance as some parties were concerned that his appointment would affect Malay and Muslim rights.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong had called on all Malaysians to accept Thomas’s appointment as attorney-general and said it should not create religious or racial conflict as every Malaysian should be fairly treated, regardless of race and religion.

Islamist party PAS had also expressed its support for Thomas.