Bersih: PSSC should have been involved in AG selection

The government’s move to appoint Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar as the new attorney-general does not reflect its commitment to conduct institutional reforms, Bersih said.

“We are of the opinion the appointment to such a role should done through the parliamentary special select committee.

“This will allow candidate selection to be done more inclusively and transparently, allowing feedback from the civil society,” the NGO said in a statement today, pointing out Dusuki’s role in seeking a discharge not amounting to an acquittal for Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the latter’s alleged corruption case involving Yayasan Akalbudi last year.

Yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar announced that Dusuki (above) would be replacing Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh as the new attorney-general.

Terrirudin has been elevated to become a Federal Court judge.

AGC-PP separation

Bersih urged the government to speed up the process of separating the Attorney-General’s Chambers from the public prosecutor’s office.

Elaborating, the NGO said the government's method in selecting an attorney-general would not come into question had Putrajaya separated both offices earlier.

“In fact, with the separation of powers between both roles, you can even appoint an MP as attorney-general and sit in the cabinet so the latter could advise the administration on legal matters accordingly.”

On Oct 23, former law minister Zaid Ibrahim fired a sardonic salvo at the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said for saying the separation must be done responsibly and cannot be rushed.

“Yes, splitting the powers of the AG and the public prosecutor is a tough assignment.

“The minister needs another year or two. It’s better after the next election in 2027 so the major assignments could be done and completed before that.

“In the meantime, she should plan another study tour of England and Canada. If time permits, Scotland is heavenly,” he quipped.

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