Law minister in the dark over Gani Patail’s future as A-G

Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail will be the longest serving attorney-general if his contract is renewed in October. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, July 2, 2015.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri said today she was unsure whether Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail's contract would be extended after his birthday in October.

Although aware that Gani would retire in October, the de facto law minister said his contract was still subject to review.

"I have no information about his position. He is supposed to retire in October. But whether or not his contract is extended is up to the government," the law minister told reporters at Publika mall in Kuala Lumpur.

On whether she was prepared to continue working with Gani, Nancy said she was willing to work with anyone.

"For me, I will work with anyone. Regardless who becomes the attorney-general, I will work with them.

"Whether it's Gani or someone else, the work must go on," she said.

The attorney-general serves as the main legal adviser to the government, and the role is included in Article 145 of the Federal Constitution.

Gani has held the post since 2002, and if his contract is extended, he will become the country's longest serving attorney-general, a record now held by Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman, who held the position from 1980 to 1993.

Gani triggered controversy through his role as the lead prosecutor in de factor PKR chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Sodomy I trial, and the attorney-general during the Sodomy II case.

On May 3, Umno-owned broadsheet Utusan Malaysia said it was time for Putrajaya to replace Gani, citing his ill health and long years of service.

- TMI