SHAH ALAM – Several civil society organisations (CSOs) and prominent individuals are demanding that the Bill to separate the powers of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor be presented and passed immediately in this week's Parliament session.
This demand was voiced through a joint media statement by BERSIH, C4 Center, IDEAS, IKRAM, Projek SAMA, Rasuah Busters, and individual, Maha Balakrishnan, today.
They appreciated the efforts of the Madani Government under the leadership of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in refining the Special Select Committee (JKPK) Report on Constitutional Amendments regarding the separation of these roles, thereby strengthening the country's institutional reform agenda.
"We call upon the Prime Minister to arrange for the Constitutional Amendment Bill to be tabled in this week's Parliamentary session.
"Our confidence is partially based on the proposal by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, to improve Clause 18 of the new Article 145A regarding Parliament's role in the selection of the Public Prosecutor," the statement said.
They also urged all Members of Parliament, Senators and political parties to fully support this reform, which they believe will benefit the people and all future federal governments.
The statement also recognised the efforts of various parties, including Azalina, the Legal Affairs Division and cross-party MPs in the Special Select Committee, who ensured that the Bill was reviewed and scrutinised through a meaningful engagement process and received comprehensive feedback.
Although not all proposals were accepted, the committee agreed that an Enabling Act should be enacted immediately to clearly establish the appointment process, duties, obligations, and accountability mechanisms of the Public Prosecutor to Parliament.
"Therefore, we are of the view that there is no longer any excuse to delay this Bill in the Dewan Rakyat. The responsibility now lies on the Prime Minister as the Leader of the House to ensure this Bill continues for debate," the statement said.
According to the groups, this separation of powers is crucial for addressing existing structural weaknesses that open doors to political interference, conflicts of interest, and doubts regarding the independence of the prosecution institution.
"Whether intentionally or not, they (political parties) have not taken steps before to ensure that our public prosecution service operates independently, transparently, and with full accountability.
"Therefore, on the shoulders of every MP and every political party lies the responsibility to the people to rectify their past mistakes," the statement added.
They argued that the proposed process, especially through Article 145A Clause 1 and Clause 18, is compliant with the Constitution and has valid check and balance mechanisms.
"This amendment is not a victory for any political party, nor does it belong to the government or the opposition. The amendment is a victory for the principle of the rule of law," said the statement.
The groups emphasised that support for this Bill is the true measure of sincerity in making the country's institutional reform agenda a success.
"All political parties and every MP are now facing a clear choice: to stand with institutional reform for the people, or to defend the weaknesses in the system that have long eroded confidence in the country's justice.
"This moment will be a measure of the legacy of each elected representative. The time to act is now," they stressed.