AG disavows royal institution to protect ‘power-hungry’ govt, say PH leaders

KUALA LUMPUR – Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Idrus Harun has disavowed the royal institution to protect a government that wants absolute power, said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council.

The opposition coalition’s top leaders in a statement today said they have studied Idrus’ statement and found that he has crossed the line by belittling the views of the Malay rulers.

“It (the statement) has forgone the spirit of the constitution and gives the impression that the AG has abandoned the royal institution to protect a government that wants absolute authority without being controlled or (having) a time limit.

“It has violated the norm because Article 145(2) of the federal constitution states that ‘it is the duty of the AG to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or cabinet or any minister on any matter pertaining to law…’

“It is clear that the AG should have given his views directly to the Agong and kept it secret, not announce it to the public.”

The statement is co-signed by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

They added that the AG’s statement is also a form of “breach of confidentiality” between the lawyer and client.

“With this violation, he is not qualified to be a lawyer, let alone hold the post of AG. Therefore, his statement is a betrayal to the Agong, and he must be fired immediately.”

On Friday, Idrus in a statement said the king must act in accordance with the advice of the cabinet in calling for the convening of Parliament as the matter is enshrined in the federal law.

He cited Articles 40(1) and (1A) of the federal constitution, saying they clearly state that the Agong is to act in accordance with the advice of the cabinet or of a minister acting under the general authority of the cabinet, except as otherwise provided by the constitution. – The Vibes, June 27, 2021