KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 — The government has been called to speed up efforts to separate the powers involving the Attorney-General (A-G) and the public prosecutor to raise the community’s confidence in the transparency of legal actions in the country.
Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng said the move also aligns with the spirit of reform championed by the Unity Government.
“I hope the government will give itself one year to complete the separation of powers between the A-G and the public prosecutor.
“I believe it is only with this measure that we could gain the confidence of the people that the desire for reform is still burning with the Unity Government and not as claimed by certain parties,” he said when debating on the motion of the Mid-Term Review of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP MTR) at Dewan Rakyat today.
The DAP chairman also urged A-G Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh to clarify the decision to discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He added the government should admit that many quarters are dissatisfied with the decision including the Bar Council.
“I feel that a comprehensive and transparent explanation will give the people confidence on whatever actions the A-G takes, “ he said.
In supporting the call to empower the national legal institution, Gombak MP Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari proposed the Parliamentary Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections and Institutional Reforms should hold a public hearing (via live telecast) as it has become an issue with public outcry.
“I will not defend anybody here as what is wrong is still wrong and that is why the hearing should not only be attended by members of Parliament and all parties should be able to hear the explanation of the A-G,” he said.
Several other MPs also touched on the issue in the debate session in the morning. Among them were Pagoh MP Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Jerantut MP Khairil Nizam Khirudin, and Marang MP Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Yesterday, Parliamentary Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections and Institutional Reforms chairman William Leong Jee Keen said the committee would be calling Ahmad Terrirudin to explain the DNAA decision on Ahmad Zahid.
He said former A-G Tan Sri Idrus Harun should also be called to clarify and a report will be tabled after the proceedings.
— Bernama
