Parliament committee aims to finalise AG-PP separation report by mid-May

 

The Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) aims to finalise its report on the proposed separation of the attorney-general (AG) and public prosecutor (PP) roles by mid-May.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said said the committee has scheduled several follow-up meetings to refine proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution before they are expected to be tabled during the June parliamentary sitting.

The PSSC’s next meetings are set for April 9, April 16, April 27 and May 4, with the target of finalising its report by May 18.

“Today’s meeting also agreed to invite four legal and constitutional academics to provide views on the proposed amendments.

“Several NGOs will also be invited to submit written feedback, including objections, proposals, criticisms and alternative options.

“We want to gather as much input as possible from NGOs that have shown interest in constitutional matters,” she told reporters after the committee’s first meeting at Parliament today.

Azalina said preliminary discussions showed that MPs from both the government and opposition broadly agree that separating the posts of AG and PP is necessary.

However, she noted that several issues require further scrutiny to ensure consensus before the amendments are tabled in Parliament.

Key parameters under discussion include the appointment mechanism, qualifications and restrictions, tenure and age limits, termination procedures and institutional accountability.

The committee will also examine the overall constitutional amendment bill, including provisions involving Article 42, Article 132, Article 138 and Article 145, as well as proposed new Articles 145A and 145B.

Responding to concerns raised by several PKR MPs over Parliament’s role in the appointment process, Azalina said the matter forms part of a broader discussion surrounding the proposed reform.

“I think most of the political parties understand the challenges that we are facing with certain positions.

“I am not going to deny that there is a big trust deficit today in reference to certain positions. I’m not talking about political positioning. I’m talking about certain posts,” she said.

Asked why stakeholder engagement sessions were held only after the bill was tabled, Azalina said the approach was adopted to ensure the process is handled through the parliamentary select committee mechanism.

Although the proposed amendment involves fewer than 10 constitutional provisions, she said the bill remains highly technical and requires careful scrutiny.

“When it was presented, MPs from both sides asked for more time, more discussion, and better understanding,” she said.

She added that the government is allowing the committee process to take place to ensure a broader consensus is achieved, noting that the proposed split between the AG and PP is a historic institutional reform.

On whether the AG could be called to Parliament in the future, Azalina said it is still premature to comment in detail, but the expectation is that the AG, as the government’s legal adviser, may appear before Parliament.

- Bernama