PARLIAMENT | The former and current attorneys-general were not “summoned” to explain the decision to withdraw all 47 charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Instead, Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Human Rights, Election, and Institutional Reform chair William Leong clarified that “invitations” would be issued to the two individuals.
“It is important for me to explain that this committee has never issued any summon for the attorney-general and former attorney-general.
“Instead, the PSSC based on our sincerity will only invite them to also be involved in a meeting,” said the Selayang MP in a statement today.
On Tuesday (Sept 12), Leong told the Dewan Rakyat that two attorneys-general would be called before the PSSC, amid dissatisfaction and confusion among the public over the granting of a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) to Zahid.
Leong (above) did not specify which two will be invited but the decision in Zahid’s case was delivered a day before former attorney-general Idrus Harun officially retired.
The current attorney-general is Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh, who took over the position on Sept 6.
“The PSSC understands and respects the power of the attorney-general in exercising his discretion to initiate, carry out, or stop any court proceedings in line with Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution.
“However, the invitations to them are to assist this committee in understanding several issues related to arising concerns on separation of powers and conflict of interests.
“More so in high profile cases where the attorney-general who is the government’s primary legal adviser, at the same time also acts as a prosecutor as outlined under Article 145 of the Federal Constitution and Section 376 of the Criminal Procedural Code,” said Leong today.
Specifically, he cited the duo’s assistance for suggestions related to a proposal to separate the powers of the attorney-general and the public prosecutor.
He added that the PSSC will also invite the electoral reform coalition Bersih, think-tank Ideas, and other groups to attend the upcoming meeting.
Earlier today, Arau MP Shahidan Kassim, who is a member of the same PSSC, argued that the government, through Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said, must be made to answer in Parliament.
Shahidan said the attorney-general has a right to decline to appear before the PSSC, as the committee is unlike the Public Accounts Committee with powers to compel attendance. - Mkini
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