Expedite separation of powers between AG and public prosecutor

SHAH ALAM - The government needs to expedite the separation of powers between the Attorney-General (AG) and public prosecutor so that a “political revenge" previously carried out by Pakatan Harapan (PH) would not happen again.

Muar Umno division chief Datuk Seri Razali Ibrahim said even though the court's decision could not be questioned, Malaysia needed to begin the effort of separating the powers to restore public confidence towards the judiciary.

At the same time he reminded people to not celebrate the incarceration of anyone and instead look at it from the context of seeking justice.

He said this during the Bersama Johan Jaaffar programme at Kompleks Karangkraf, here, on Wednesday.

He said the judiciary and the principles of justice must be placed high.

"Malaysia needs to move to a better direction to avoid these issues (selective prosecution) from repeating, we have discussed it in the Umno level to separate the powers of the public prosecutor and AG for it to be balanced.

"Because of that we do not want revenge politics or a repeat of the the liberation situation in the early stages of the PH ruling.

"We have to put it (judiciary) at the highest place," he said.

The former deputy minister in the prime minister's department said if there was no separation of powers, it would continue to be a repeated problem.

Citing a case in Australia, he said there was a drug case involving a Malaysian citizen "They told us that there was a drug seizure and a Malaysian was arrested but they did not inform us who was arrested.

"What did he (Australian) say? It could interfere with investigations and it was to protect the family of the detained person. But here, the agency's chief would laughe and tell the whole world which I think is not what an agency should do.

"To me it is not something funny. As a person who had education in law, this matter could undermine the judicial institution in the country," he said.

He said what was even more saddening was that some were even cheering when an individual was incarcerated.

"When there is a victory or a loss (in a court case), others shouldn't celebrate and berate it. To me that is also wrong. We celebrated it as if its a victory whereas the discussion in court was to provide justice. Not a matter to be celebrated.

"Likewise for us in Umno, even though I say that, we can't hide our sadness," he said.