It is only proper for de facto law minister Nancy Shukri to reveal now whether senior lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah will be the country’s next attorney-general.

Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching ( right ) said this today in response to Nancy’s revelation that Shafee was paid RM1,000 to serve as lead prosecutor in opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s Sodomy II trial.

“Now we know Shafee was paid RM1,000 to serve as lead prosecutor. However, is that all?” she asked in a statement.

“There are rumours that Shafee will soon replace Abdul Gani Patail as attorney-general so Nancy should confirm if this speculation is true and if it is, whether the appointment is also part of Shafee’s ‘reward’ for his Sodomy II role?”

The DAP parliamentarian pointed out that her party colleague, Er Teck Hwa, had back in November 2013, asked about the legal fees paid to Shafee.

'Apologise to Parliament'

“During the debate winding up on Nov 11, Nancy answered that ‘the amount of payment cannot be disclosed in view of professional ethics and client-counsel confidentiality’,” she said.

Teo reminded that the then de facto law minister Nazri Aziz had in 2011 had openly disclosed that the government had paid RM150,000 to Shafee ( left ) for representing the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the Teoh Beng Hock royal commission of inquiry.

“I am glad that Nancy has finally rectified her mistake though it took her more than a year.  She should also apologise to Parliament for giving a wrong answer back in 2013 if she is a minister with dignity,” said Teo.

Nancy had revealed Shafee’s fee in Parliament today in response to Er’s question on the matter. It was the first time the government revealed the amount paid to Shafee despite the question being raised multiple times in Parliament.