Another former attorney-general (AG) has come to the defence of AG Idrus Harun over the latter’s view that it was up to the cabinet to decide on reconvening Parliament, and the Agong's discretion does not apply here.
Ex-AG Mohamed Apandi Ali (above) today said that Idrus was merely laying out the position laid by the Federal Constitution, due to some confusion among the people on the issue.
“Nothing wrong, as the AG (Idrus) was just explaining the position under the Federal Constitution, which has caused some confusion amongst the populace,” Apandi said when contacted this afternoon.
Previously on June 27, former AG Tommy Thomas had expressed disappointment with Pakatan Harapan’s call for Idrus be sacked over a media statement saying it was up to the cabinet to reconvene Parliament rather than the Agong’s discretion.
Earlier on the same day (June 27), the Harapan presidential council called for Idrus’ sacking for his conduct over the Agong’s call for Parliament to be reconvened “as soon as possible”.
Harapan noted that despite Idrus, as AG, having a constitutional duty under Article 145(2) of the Federal Constitution to advise the Agong and cabinet on legal matters, this advice should be conveyed directly to the king instead of being announced publicly.
Harapan had contended that announcing it publicly was an alleged breach of confidentiality between a lawyer and a client.
Others who had come to Idrus’ defence over the issue were lawyer New Sin Yew and Saratok MP Ali Biju.
Parliament had been suspended since Jan 11 following a state of emergency, which will expire in August.
The Conference of Rulers opposed any extension.
The government initially insisted it will only convene Parliament in September or October.
However, Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun and Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim have proposed an August-September timeline.
They have been summoned by the Agong and are scheduled to meet the ruler tomorrow. - Mkini
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