Separation of AG-public prosecutor powers in second phase

Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said confirmed that the separation of powers of the Attorney General (AG) and public prosecutor is in the second phase.

The Cabinet has agreed to a complete separation model which has been discussed at length in the comparative study final report that was handed over to the technical special task force.

“The second phase focuses on finalising the institutional structure, the need to amend the Federal Constitution, amend relevant laws and table new laws to ensure the implementation of the reform agenda is effective and wholesome,” she said via a Facebook post.

Separating the powers of the Attorney General and public prosecutor is among the reforms that Pakatan Harapan had promised in its election manifesto.

In October, Azalina’s deputy, M Kulasegaran denied that the government was dragging its feet in its plan to separate the roles of the AG and the public prosecutor.

He insisted the government was “100% committed” to carrying out this reform and had already promised to follow through with it.

However, he said the delay in implementing it was due to stakeholder discussions which he maintained were necessary to ensure the bill was holistic.

Kulasegaran added that the government would give a timeframe for the bill to separate the AG and public prosecutor’s roles next year.

Last month, Azalina said the government would begin the legislative process to separate the roles of the AG and public prosecutor next