The parliamentary committee aims to finalise its report on splitting the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor roles by mid-May, ahead of a June tabling.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) aims to finalise its report on the proposed separation of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor roles by mid-May.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the committee has scheduled follow-up meetings to refine proposed constitutional amendments.
These meetings are set for April 9, April 16, April 27 and May 4, with a target to finalise the report by May 18.
Azalina said today’s meeting agreed to invite four legal and constitutional academics to provide views.
Several non-governmental organisations will also be invited to submit written feedback, including objections and alternative options.
“We want to gather as much input as possible from NGOs that have shown interest in constitutional matters,” she told reporters after the committee’s first meeting.
Azalina said preliminary discussions show MPs from both sides broadly agree the separation is necessary.
She noted several issues require further scrutiny to ensure consensus before the amendments are tabled.
Key parameters under discussion include the appointment mechanism, qualifications, tenure, termination procedures and institutional accountability.
The committee will also examine the overall constitutional amendment bill, including provisions involving Articles 42, 132, 138 and 145.
Proposed new Articles 145A and 145B are also under review.
Responding to concerns from PKR MPs over Parliament’s role in appointments, Azalina said this forms part of the broader reform discussion.
“I think most of the political parties understand the challenges that we are facing with certain positions,” she said.
“I am not going to deny that there is a big trust deficit today in reference to certain positions.”
Asked why stakeholder sessions were held after the bill was tabled, Azalina said the approach ensures the process is handled through the parliamentary committee mechanism.
Although the amendment involves fewer than 10 constitutional provisions, she said the bill remains highly technical.
“When it was presented, MPs from both sides asked for more time, more discussion and better understanding,” she said.
She added the government is allowing the committee process to ensure a broader consensus is achieved.
Azalina noted the proposed split is a historic institutional reform.
On whether the Attorney General could be called to Parliament in future, she said it is premature to comment in detail.
The expectation is that the Attorney General, as the government’s legal adviser, may appear before Parliament.
