PARLIAMENT | AG-PP bill postponed; Hamzah says Anwar wants to vet international media

PARLIAMENT SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in Parliament today, with updates at 11.30am and 1.30pm.

Editor’s note: The snapshot update has been brought forward as the Parliament session has ended. There will be no 6pm update.

1.30pm

AG-PP Bill

• The government has decided to hit the brakes on the parliamentary debate on the bill to separate the powers of the attorney-general and public prosecutor, and refer it to a parliamentary special select committee (PSSC) for refinement.

  Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said announced the deferment of the bill during its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat this afternoon.

  “This step ensures that reforms strengthen institutional independence responsibly and at the same time, reinforce transparency to Parliament,” Azalina (above) said.

  

  The PSSC will comprise herself as the chairperson, William Leong (Harapan-Selayang), Syahredzan Johan (Harapan-Bangi), Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari (Harapan-Alor Gajah), Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong), Roy Angau Gingkoi (GPS-Lubok Antu), Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Lo Su Fui (GRS-Tawau), Ramkarpal Singh (Harapan-Bukit Gelugor), Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut), Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran), and Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar).

  The move was praised by the opposition, with Takiyuddin thanking the government for the motion to refer the bill.

  This comes amid criticism from civil society organisations and PKR lawmakers, who called for Parliament to be involved in the appointment of a public prosecutor, arguing that the bill, in its current form, concentrates power between the prime minister and the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC).

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  READ MORE: Parliament vets public prosecutor or we don't vote - 10 PKR MPs

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  Rusila ‘intrusion’

• Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul has accepted a reiterated apology from Takiyuddin over the PAS secretary-general’s remarks last year on the Rusila mosque incident involving Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officers.

  In informing the Dewan Rakyat of the matter, Johari said he would discuss the matter with the Home Ministry so that his decision would be taken into consideration.

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  READ MORE: Cabinet refers Takiyuddin to privileges committee over MMEA remark

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‘Media evaluation committee’

• Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin revealed that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had proposed the setting up of a bipartisan committee to “evaluate various international media organisations”.

  Hamzah, who voiced the opposition’s support, said the proposed committee would determine whether the international media could be deemed as an outlet which published “incitements” that could “topple a government”. 

  

  “That is a good idea. The opposition plays a check-and-balance role. We accept good proposals, offer our views to improve what is not so good, and reject bad proposals. 

  “That is normal. That is our role,” said the Larut MP during a press conference in Parliament. 

  Anwar, in his speech about Bloomberg earlier, did not mention such a committee. It is believed the proposal was instead raised when Hamzah met him during a brief recess after Prime Minister’s Question Time.

11.30am

MACC

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that the authorities will only investigate news reports quoting sources if there is substance to the claims.

  He said this in response to a question from V Ganabatirau (Harapan-Klang) about a recent Bloomberg exposé alleging that MACC officers had colluded with private individuals to strong-arm business rivals and stage corporate takeovers, with the graftbuster’s chief, Azam Baki, allegedly aware of the collusion and having acted in support of such acts.

  “We do not investigate thousands of accusations made against leaders or any figure unless they have a basis,” Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat this morning.

  

  Ganabatirau also asked if the government intends to establish a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate the matter, but Anwar said that the decision would be “premature” as the probe led by the attorney-general on Azam’s shareholdings is set to be completed soon.

READ MORE: Anwar didn't suffer 1MDB trauma, Rafizi says as govt drags feet on MACC

• In a supplementary question, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Independent-Machang) asked Anwar why the premier continued to defend Azam when he had previously called for the latter’s suspension in 2022 over a shareholding scandal.

  Anwar replied that there were investigative procedures to follow.

  “Let’s not assume anything bad. Let the investigation get the facts,” he said.

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