Cabinet has given nod for separation of powers in AGC, says PM

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the draft paper on separation of powers in the Attorney-General’s Chambers requires time to complete as it involves numerous amendments, including to the Federal Constitution.

PETALING JAYA: 

The proposed division of functions between the attorney-general and the public prosecutor in the Attorney-General’s Chambers has been accepted by the Cabinet, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the Cabinet draft paper on the separation of powers is expected to be ready by the middle of next year, Bernama reported.

He said a minister has been assigned to lead a task force to oversee the matter.

Acknowledging the complexity of the issue, Anwar emphasised that the draft paper requires time to complete.

He said this matter involves numerous amendments, including to the Federal Constitution.

“Having said that, it will run through, hopefully by the middle of next year.

“I haven’t seen the draft yet.

“The only paper presented so far was a policy decision on whether we agree with the division and that has been passed by the Cabinet,” he said at a press conference to clear various issues in Subang Jaya today.

On Thursday, a coalition of NGOs had called on Anwar to announce a clear timeline for the separation of the public prosecutor’s office in the AGC.

In March 2023, Anwar announced in the Dewan Rakyat that the government was considering a proposal to separate the prosecutor’s office from the AGC.

According to law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said, the first phase of the empirical study on the separation of roles was expected to conclude once the research conducted by the Special Task Force on Comparative Studies in the UK is completed.

The separation of powers is aimed at strengthening the independence and integrity of the legal system, ensuring that prosecutorial decisions are made without undue influence and that the AG can serve as an impartial legal adviser to the government. - FMT