Parliament speaker Mohamed Zahir Ismail is not privy to the constitutional procedures undertaken by the government in the appointment of the new attorney general, said the de facto law minister today.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Rais Yatim today dispute the speaker's statement on Monday that the late Yang di-Pertuan Agong had yet to approve the appointment of Abdul Gani Patail.

"There is no confusion (over the appointment). The appointment of Abdul Gani as announced before will go on. I do not think that the speaker was privy to the procedures," Rais said.

However, the minister did not make any comments on the constitutional aspects of the controversial appointment.

On Monday, Mohamed Zahir had informed an opposition member of parliament in a letter that he rejected the call for an urgent debate in Dewan Rakyat on the matter as royal approval of Abdul Gani's appointment was still pending.

The speaker added that Abdul Gani would officially assume the post from Jan 1 next year.

Questions raised

On Nov 19, Rais had announced that Abdul Gani will replace Ainum Mohamad Saaid to the top post after Ainum had tendered her resignation letter a day earlier on health grounds. Ainum's resignation was to take affect from Dec 31.

Rais had also announced that Abdul Gani will assume the duties of Ainum as soon as she goes on leave prior to her retirement.

Abdul Gani's appointment to the post immediately after Ainum's resignation letter raised questions whether the constitutional aspects of the appointment were followed, especially when the late Agong was seriously ill after undergoing cardiac surgery.

According to the Constitution, "the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall, on the advice of the prime minister, appoint a person who is qualified to be a judge for the Federal Court to be the attorney general for the federation".