AG's roles: Gov't says no two-thirds, Umno, PAS say let's talk

PARLIAMENT | PAS and Umno have indicated they are open to backing the government if it tables a motion in the Dewan Rakyat to separate the roles of the attorney-general and public prosecutor.

The government is unable to do this alone as it lacks a two-thirds majority in the House which is required for a constitutional amendment to separate the AG's roles.

The matter cropped up in the Dewan Rakyat’s question time this morning when Johari Abdul (PKR-Sungai Petani) asked the prime minister on the government’s progress in separating the roles of the attorney-general and public prosecutor.

Under the present legal framework, both roles are vested in the same person and Pakatan Harapan had pledged in its manifesto to separate the two roles to avoid conflicts of interest.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of legal affairs Hanipa Maidin (Amanah-Sepang) replied that the matter had been discussed without a decision being made.

“For now, for the Sungai Petani member’s information, there is yet to be any decision from the cabinet or government to implement this because we have an obstacle which is that we don’t have a two-thirds majority (in the Dewan Rakyat).

“Therefore, we can’t implement this because we would need to amend the constitution,” he told the Parliament.

He said since the government did not have a two-thirds majority, the amendment bill may be rejected by the Dewan Rakyat if it is tabled.

In response, Johari said the government should form a committee with opposition MPs and push ahead with the initiative anyway.

He expressed confidence that opposition MPs would back the initiative.

Hanipa Maidin

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PAS-Kubang Kerian) also said his party would back the initiative.

“This separation of powers must happen and must be carried out. I’m confident that others in the opposition would also want changes in our legal system and God willing we hope this can be expedited,” he said.

Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan (Umno-Pontian) said the government should bring the matter up for further discussion.

“If discussions with us are made and the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, I wish to state on Umno’s behalf […] that we don’t have major obstacles to agreeing and ensure a two-thirds majority (for the amendment),” he said. -Mkini