The G25 reform group has urged the government to implement interim measures in preparation for the separation of office between the attorney-general and public prosecutor, including reinstating the role of the solicitor-general as the de facto public prosecutor.
G25, which comprises prominent retired civil servants, said the interim measure would immediately allay fears of a conflict of interest over the attorney-general’s responsibilities. “Another interim step is establishing a review panel to oversee decisions on prosecutions,” said the group.
The G25 statement comes in the wake of the government’s announcement that the roles of the attorney-general and the public prosecutor would be made separate under proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution.
The attorney-general is currently the government’s chief legal advisor, and is also the public prosecutor, with power to decide on prosecutions. The solicitor-general, the second highest-ranking post in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, was formerly the chief litigator for the government and has acted as the de facto public prosecutor.
G25 also called for an independent commission to recommend future appointments to the separate posts of the attorney-general and the public prosecutor, rather than the decision being made solely at the prime minister’s discretion.
“Both offices should also be secured by constitutional guarantees of tenure, with removal procedures aligned with those of Federal Court judges, so that they can discharge their duties without fear or favour,” G25 said.
The group also suggested that the government widen the membership of the Judicial Appointments Commission to members of the Bar Council and academia to make the statutory body more transparent.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in December that the Cabinet had accepted a proposal to separate the attorney-general’s dual roles.
Earlier today, the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism urged the government to make public its draft bill once it is ready and allocate sufficient time for public feedback.
It said these measures would safeguard the judiciary from political interference while answering long overdue calls to reform the country’s judicial system.
