AG-PP bill a 'defining moment' of justice reform, says Rasuah Busters

SHAH ALAM – Anti-corruption movement Rasuah Busters has described the proposed Attorney General-Public Prosecutor (AG–PP) separation bill as a “defining moment” for Malaysia’s justice system, while urging lawmakers to scrutinise the legislation carefully before its passage.

The group commended the government’s sustained commitment to engaging with various stakeholders and civil society organisations to advance the long-awaited legal reform.

However, it urged MPs to thoroughly examine the Bill before it is debated and passed, stressing that the reform must result in a resilient, transparent and independent justice system.

"Replacing one opaque process with another that lacks genuine accountability and effective checks and balances risks producing a reform that is ultimately more harmful than the status quo," it said in a statement.

To ensure the integrity of the prosecutorial institution, the group has outlined five critical areas that MPs must closely scrutinise before casting their votes.

First, it highlighted the risk of legal ambiguity, arguing that unclear provisions could weaken the appointment and operational framework of the Public Prosecutor.

“Any uncertainty that undermines the integrity and certainty of the appointment process must be addressed to avoid conflicting interpretations and administrative weaknesses,” the group said.

Secondly, it stressed that the Bill must be anchored in strong transparency and accountability mechanisms.

It warned that without clear safeguards, there is a risk of conflicts of interest and potential abuse of power that could compromise prosecutorial independence.

Thirdly, it called for Parliament to play a more substantive oversight role in the reform process, emphasising that meaningful checks are necessary to ensure fair and merit-based appointments.

“A strong legislature and public scrutiny serve as essential safeguards against nepotism, cronyism and abuses of power,” it said.

Fourthly, Rasuah Busters proposed stronger institutional safeguards, including open nominations, clear eligibility criteria, adequate time for scrutiny and transparent disclosure of assessment findings by parliamentary committees.

It also noted that the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) should continue to play an advisory role, but one that is balanced with parliamentary oversight to reflect public interest.

Lastly, it highlighted the importance of safeguarding prosecutorial independence from any improper influence as such independence is essential to restoring public confidence and ensuring the fair and impartial administration of justice.

On June 21, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said tabled seven key proposals to reform the appointment process of Malaysia’s Public Prosecutor, with the aim of strengthening institutional independence, improving transparency and reducing the risk of political interference in prosecutorial decisions.