However, the opposition leader said that there was no reason to ban the controversial book by the former attorney-general.

Anwar pooh-poohed Thomas’ decision to link former prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein to the 1969 May 13 riots as well as the latter’s assessment of the attorney-general’s chambers (AGC).

In a lengthy review, the opposition leader said the claims in the book, “My Story: Justice in the Wilderness” were purely conjectures.

On Thomas’ assertions with regard to the race riots, where he alleges that “the evidence points to a coup by Tun Razak”, Anwar says it borders on a conspiracy theory.

Anwar said such claims were an affront to the collective consciousness of Malaysians, particularly the Malay community, that holds and cherishes Razak’s memory.

“I believe that coming from someone who has held the highest legal office of the land, it is irresponsible.”

The PKR president also took issue with Thomas’ disparaging remarks of former solicitor-general Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria as well as the subsequent insults directed at the AGC and civil service.

Thomas said Hanafiah was deemed incompetent to lead the prosecution of the 1MDB corruption cases. He also said “public sector lawyers had public service attitudes (and) were civil servants, earning a fixed monthly income and awaiting pension upon retirement.”

Anwar said: “Such a gross generalisation is unbecoming”.

He said he himself had his own dark experience with the AGC but one bad apple should not spoil the entire barrel.

He also said there were many public servants and senior officers in the AGC who were exemplary and excelled with a professional work ethic.

Therefore, he said, he was “dumbfounded” why Thomas could have adopted such a condescending attitude towards civil servants.

Anwar also took issue with Thomas’ view on racism which he said came off as somewhat one-sided with much blame being placed on Malay leaders.

Not one word, he said, touched on the racism inherent among the other communities and this, Anwar added, was yet “another fatal misstep.”

“Failing to recognise that racism in Malaysia is a systemic cultural and political problem, which has been exacerbated by government policies, his words offer little value to the discussion we all need to be having.”

Despite this, Anwar said he vehemently opposes any move to ban the book, following reports that the home ministry was mulling such a move.

He said Thomas should be allowed to exercise his constitutional right of freedom of expression subject to the laws of slander, libel and criminal defamation.

“Silencing voices has never done the work of progress.”

The book, which has also earned criticism from former prime ministers Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Najib Razak, was released last month. Over 100 reports had been lodged against it.