Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamed Zahir Ismail today defended his statement made last Monday that Abdul Gani Patail's appointment as the new attorney-general was still pending royal approval when he rejected the call for an urgent House debate on the matter.

"According to the parliamentary meeting procedures, I am right," Zahir said in reply to MP Kerk Kim Hock (DAP-Kota Melaka). However the speaker did not elaborate any further.

Kerk was referring the statement made by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Rais Yatim last Thursday that the speaker was not privy to the constitutional procedures undertaken by the government in the appointment of the new AG.

Rais, who is also the de facto law minister, disputed Zahir's statement that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong have yet to approve the appointment of Abdul Gani.

"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," he said.

In the Dewan Rakyat today, Kerk asked Zahir, "Who is right?"

In response, the speaker insisted that he was correct.

Kerk then said that he hoped Rais would apologise to Zahir and the Parliament for disputing the speaker's judgement.

Doubts raised over appointment

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

Rais had also said that Abdul Gani would assume the duties of Ainum as soon as she goes on leave prior to her resignation.

The announcement of Abdul Gani's appointment a day after Ainum's resignation raised doubts if the constitutional aspects of the appointment were followed, especially when the late King 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".