Attorney General says new bill removes PM’s role in appointing public prosecutor, giving power to King and Rulers for a seven-year term.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister will have no role in appointing the Public Prosecutor under proposed constitutional amendments.
Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar said the appointment power rests solely with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, subject to the consent of the Conference of Rulers.
Candidates will be nominated by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission for a fixed seven-year term.
“The original idea is to remove political interference from the appointment of the Public Prosecutor,” Mohd Dusuki said during a parliamentary briefing.
He stated that excluding politicians ensures the Public Prosecutor acts fairly without influence from appointing parties.
The Public Prosecutor must not be a Member of Parliament or State Assembly and requires at least 10 years’ litigation experience.
Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said clarified the seven-year term is not automatically renewable.
The office-holder must apply to the commission for reappointment, which will reassess their performance.
“The Public Prosecutor is also not obliged to answer to Parliament, as the position is not a political appointment but functions as an independent office,” Azalina said.
The briefing was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and members of both Houses of Parliament.
