In a surprise press statement released today, a DAP leader said he endorsed the appointment of new Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail.

DAP national publicity bureau secretary Gobind Singh Deo said Gani "has got what it takes to be an effective AG".

"I am firmly of the view that Datuk Abdul Gani ought to be given every opportunity to prove himself as AG before anyone has the right to criticise his appointment," Gobind said.

Gobind's stand is contrary to the views expressed by his party leader, Lim Kit Siang, who has been highly critical of Abdul Gani's appointment.

According to Gobind, although many people have criticised the decisions taken by Abdul Gani as a senior deputy public prosecutor, he had every right to make those decisions.

"Judges make decisions too. These decisions are often criticised by the higher courts as well. But we don't go around calling for judges to resign simply because they made decisions which are questionable and criticised," said Gobind, who is a lawyer.

He pointed out that Abdul Gani was experienced enough to know that his actions were open to criticism, even to the extent of judicial condemnation.

"It is with this caution in mind that this AG, unlike others, will start his tenure.

"I believe the criticism levelled against Abdul Gani in the past is material enough to make him more cautious of his role as AG, and perhaps a better candidate for the position," Gobind added.

Makes a better candidate

Gani's appointment as AG, to be effective on Jan 1, has been widely slammed by opposition leaders and non-governmental organisations as being unconstitutional.

DAP chairman Lim has lambasted de-facto Law Minister Rais Yatim for announcing Abdul Gani's appointment on the same day that first woman AG Ainum Mohd Saaid handed in her resignation.

He added that the announcement was made prematurely because the appointment had yet to obtained royal consent.

At the time of the announcement, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was terminally ill. His Majesty passed away two days later.

Gani gained notoriety as the chief public prosecutor in ex-deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy and corruption trials. He 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.

In a related case on the matter, the Federal Court had said that Gani should provide "some answers to the allegations of fabrication of evidence".

Charges of corruption

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

Meanwhile, a front-page article in The New Straits Times today reported that the 10,000-strong Bar Council had sent a letter to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday expressing concern over Abdul Gani's appointment.

According to the report, the council stated that the AG should be a person who could command respect, and hoped that the council's views would be considered.

When contacted by malaysiakini , Kuala Lumpur Legal Aid Centre chairman R Kesavan said the KL Bar committee had pushed for the council to take a stand on the appointment.

"We told them (the council) to make a statement," he said.

He added that while he was aware of the letter which was sent to the prime minister, he did not know of its contents.