Govt targets passing AG-Public Prosecutor separation bill this session

PUTRAJAYA, June 26 (Bernama) -- The government aims to finalise the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 for the separation of roles between the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor before the current Dewan Rakyat parliamentary session ends.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said that she had presented the bill during today's Cabinet meeting, and its amendments will be discussed further next week.

She added that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fadillah Yusof had met Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin and Kota Bharu Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, and the feedback received was highly positive.

"I hope we can get a confirmation and I hope before this parliamentary session ends, we will be able to execute the progression of the amendment and so on. My hope is before this session concludes, Insya-Allah (God willing)," she told reporters after officiating the Insolvency Second Chance Policy Roadshow Carnival 2026 here today.

Meanwhile, Azalina noted that all government and opposition MPs are supporting this constitutional amendment, as it went through the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) comprised of both sides.

"From my impression, I believe this constitutional amendment will receive a lot of support from MPs, both government and opposition, because the PSSC committee takes into account the voices of all political parties.

"Usually, when a bill goes to the PSSC, the perception is that they represent political parties. The decisions of the PSSC are generally and simultaneously accepted because they are the representatives of those political parties," she said.

The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 for the separation of roles between the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor is scheduled to be re-tabled for its second reading during this Dewan Rakyat parliamentary session, after taking into account the comprehensive report and recommendations from the cross-party committee.

Yesterday, Azalina said that Parliament will play a crucial role in the check-and-balance structure of the Public Prosecutor appointment process through the PSSC.

According to Azalina, this reform reflects the solid commitment of the MADANI Government in implementing the country's legal institutional reform agenda.

The organisation of the Insolvency Second Chance Policy Roadshow Carnival is aimed at raising public awareness regarding the policy, while also reducing the societal stigma against individuals who have previously been declared bankrupt. - BERNAMA