CHIEF JUSTICE BRANDS NEW AG AS SUPERB

(Bernama) – The appointment of Mohamed Apandi Ali as the Attorney-General is fitting and appropriate based on his experience, said Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria.

“He had much experience working in the Attorney-General’s Chambers as a deputy public prosecutor. He is superb,” Arifin said when contacted by Bernama.

Mohamad Apandi began his career in the legal service as deputy public prosecutor in the 70s and practised as a laywer from 1982 to 2003.

Arifin said Mohamed Apandi also had experience as Magistrate, High Court Judge, Appeal Court Judge as well as a Federal Court judge.

When asked about Abdul Gani Patail who had his service as Attorney- General terminated yesterday, Arifin said: “I pray for the best for him and may he be in good health.”

Even though Gani is no longer the Attorney-General, he will continue to serve as a Justice and Legal Service officer until his compulsory retirement on October 6, 2015.

Mohamed Apandi is the ninth Attorney- General and his experience in the legal field includes prosecution, defence and judgement.

He was born in Kampung Rambutan Rendang, Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan on February 11 1950 and obtained a Bachelor of Law from University of London in 1972 before furthering his studies at Bar-At-Law, Inner Temple of London in 1973 and the Institute of Advance Legal Studies, London in 1981.

He has held several posts in his career including as Magistrate in Terengganu from 1973 to 1975 and later as director of the Legal Aid Bureau in Kelantan for two years until 1977.

He was later made Trade and Industry Ministry Legal Advisor in Kuala Lumpur (1980-1982) before setting up his own legal firm, Apandi Ali & Co (1982-2003).

He was made Judicial Commissioner of the High Court of Malaya, Kuantan (2003- 2004), High Court Judge for six years from 2004 to 2010 before taking up the post of Appeals Court Judge from 2010 to 2013.

Mohamed Apandi was appointed as Federal Court Judge from 2013 until yesterday before being appointed Attorney-General to replace Gani who ended his service over health reasons.

Among the high profile cases decided by Mohamed Apandi was the government’s appeal to prohibit The Herald from using the word ‘Allah’ two years ago.

He was also a panel member in the appeal case at the Appeals Court which declared the state Syariah Criminal Enactment which punished a Muslim man who wore women’s clothes as illegal.