Is newly-appointed Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali the hatchet man for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak or will he work towards ensuring an enlightened and democratic Malaysia, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang wants to know.

Posing this question today, Lim went on to point out that Apandi’s first statement as AG was to justify the removal of his predecessor, Abdul Gani Patail, as constitutional and according to law.

“Apandi said his predecessor’s rank was not reduced in any way.  Are we having two attorneys-general in Malaysia? Apandi with all the powers and perks of the office and Gani, enjoying all the perks but not the powers of an attorney-general?

“I will leave it to the lawyers to address this nettlesome question as to whether Gani’s ( photo ) sudden and summary sacking as attorney-general on Monday is constitutional or not,” Lim said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

Apandi, in his first official statement as AG yesterday, said Article 145(6) does not apply to Gani's removal as it is a saving provision, which only applies to the attorney-general from 1959 to 1963, who was Cecil M Sheridan.

"Under the existing Article 145(5), the attorney-general holds office during the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” Apandi had said.

'Would Apandi charge Najib?'

To curtail the perception of the new AG being Najib's man, Lim challenged Apandi to state if he would charge and prosecute Najib if there was sufficient evidence against him.

 

He also asked who is now the head of the special task force probing the 1MDB allegations, since Gani, the former head of the task force as AG, has been removed from office. 

 

Nevertheless, Lim said, Gani should have been afforded the basic courtesy and informed that his tenure was being terminated , instead of being taken by surprise.

 

He also questioned the "health problem" reason that was given for Gani's termination, saying the reverse in fact seemed to be true.

 

"In recent weeks, Gani seemed to be at the peak of his public life, in full command and control of his intellectual and mental prowess and resources," Lim said.

 

He also brought up the clkaimn of veteran newsman A Kadir Jasin ( photo ), who said the special task force investigating the 1MDB allegations when led by Gani was close to filing charges .

 

"(Was he terminated as AG) because Gani was getting "hyperactive" rather than any "disability" or "incapacity"?" Lim asked.

 

He wondered if the former AG would be allowed to answer the question, or if Apandi would answer this question for Gani.

 

It is very sad when Gani, as the former first law officer of the land, becomes a "victim of injustice" himself and is unable to stand up for himself, Lim said.