The opposition has teamed up with several non-governmental organisations to condemn the appointment of senior deputy public prosecutor Abdul Gani Patail as the new attorney-general.

The group, which constitutes Barisan Alternatif youth wings and four NGOs, said it will submit a memorandum to Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamed Zahir Ismail and opposition leader Fadzil Noor on Monday to protest the appointment.

A memorandum will also be submitted to the new King and Conference of Rulers once His Majesty is appointed into office.

The group also demanded that de facto law minister Dr Rais Yatim apologise to the people for the government's "confusing actions" pertaining to the appointment.

Rais has to apologise to the Conference of Rulers for "insulting and dismissing" the latter's constitutional role, the group insisted.

"We also ask Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to ensure that no minister acts in a manner so rash that he supercedes the limitations imposed by the constitution," said Keadilan deputy Youth chief Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on behalf of the group.

"Mahathir must announce the new AG only after the new King has been installed on Dec 12. All prior announcements must be revoked," he added.

On Nov 19, Rais announced that Gani would replace first woman AG Ainum Mohd Saaid after she had tendered her resignation letter to Rais the same day. Ainum's resignation, said to be on health grounds, takes effect on Dec 31.

Rais told malaysiakini on Tuesday that the government should be allowed to proceed with the appointment although it has yet to gain royal approval. He also dismissed talk of the appointment being controversial.

Gov't 'rash and rude'

Gani's appointment was considered controversial due to his involvement as chief public prosecutor in ex-deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy and corruption trials.

Gani was alleged to have coerced witness S Nallakaruppan to fabricate evidence against Anwar in exchange for a lighter sentence.

Nallakaruppan, who was Anwar's tennis partner, was charged with illegal possession of firearms which, if convicted, carries a mandatory death sentence.

Gani was also alleged to have protected International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz from prosecution on five charges of corruption.

Saifuddin said the government was "very rash and rude" to announce Gani as the new AG on Nov 19 when the former King was seriously ill. Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah passed away on Nov 21. The appointment of the new King is set on Dec 12.

'More dirty jobs'

"This shows that the government is willing to set aside the constitution and His Majesty the King or the Conference of Rulers simply to ensure that Gani, who often does Mahathir's 'dirty jobs', becomes AG," said Saifuddin who is also Lunas state assembly representative.

"The rakyat is confident that this appointment clearly indicates that there will more 'dirty jobs' for Gani to do," he added.

Saifuddin said the group is sensitive about the issue as the King has an important role to play as part of the 'checks and balances' among the executive, legislative and judiciary.

According to Article 145 (1) of the Federal Constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall, on the advice of the prime minister, appoint a person who is qualified as a Federal Court judge as attorney-general.

It is also stated that the King has the right and responsibility to appoint the highest government officials. His Majesty's responsibilities are to safeguard the integrity of those appointments.

Saifuddin urged the new King to appoint someone who is "qualified, fair and wise".

"These are the qualities we do not find in the candidate announced by Rais," he said.

The NGOs included in the group are People's Manifesto Initiative, Women's Candidacy Initiative, National Human Rights Society and Suaram.

Also present today were PRM Youth chief Faisal Sanusi and Yap Swee Seng who represented the NGOs. The PAS representative, Youth central committee member Idris Ahmad, could not attend the press conference.