KUALA LUMPUR – Two special task forces have been established to accelerate the move to separate the role of the public prosecutor from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said announced the Comparative Research Special Task Force and the Technical Special Task Force.
The announcement comes following the inaugural meeting chaired by Azalina on the separation of the roles in line with the unity government’s agenda.
In a statement, Azalina said the comparative research task force will be conducting research based on evidence-based research in several countries, such as England, Australia, Canada, and Kenya, to obtain more information inaccessible through global test practices’ open data.
It is suggested that the task force consist of Azalina herself, as well as representatives of the Special Select Committee on Basic Human Rights, General Elections and Institutional Reform (SSC), the opposition bloc, the AGC, and the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU).
Meanwhile, the technical special task force – proposed to be fully managed by the AGC and BHEUU – will comprehensively examine legal, staffing, and financial implications.
“The technical special task force will prepare an interim report within one year on the Comprehensive Empirical Study of the Separation of the Public Prosecutor and AGC, including presenting the results for the cabinet’s consideration,” she said.
Also present during the meeting today were SSC chairman William Leong, SSC committee member R.S.N. Rayer, opposition bloc representative Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, the AGC, the BHEUU, the judicial and legal service commission, the Finance Ministry, and the Public Service Department.
Another engagement session with other stakeholders – such as police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency – will be conducted by the technical special task force in the near future.
“The reform agenda is important in ensuring more stable democratic governance and increasing the administration of law in line with the unity government’s commitment to ensuring good administration, legal system, and governance,” Azalina said. – September 12, 2023