KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — The government is committed to separating the powers of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor’s office, with the reform targeted for completion by next year, M. Kulasegaran told Parliament today.
The deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) reiterated that Putrajaya has agreed in principle to adopt a full separation model similar to those practised in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Under this framework, the AGC would function solely as the government’s legal adviser, while the Public Prosecutor’s office would operate as an independent authority for criminal prosecutions.
Kulasegaran said this when responding to Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng who said the government appeared to be unenthusiastic in pursuing this reform.
“The timeline is for next year, as soon as possible,” he said. “The government is still 100 per cent committed to these reforms, but the process requires careful consideration and consultation with multiple parties, including state legal advisers and the Bar Council.”
“The delay is due to the need for wide consultations, and this is the first time such a reform has been attempted.”
The Cabinet provisionally agreed to the separation on Sept 10, following a review of a report by a Special Task Force chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
