KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has expressed her backing for the special investigative task force against allegations contained in former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas’ memoir.
In a forum hosted by Bersih 2.0 on Monday, the special adviser on law and human rights to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob indicated that the task force will provide transparency into the inner workings of the legal system, especially with regards to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
“This is something introductory and a first step into evaluating what goes on in the Attorney-General’s Chambers and not (targeted) towards any individuals,” she said.
Azalina who is also Pengerang MP and a former Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker, added that the task force should be seen in a positive light as the chairman, who will be privy to the terms of reference, may be able to insert into discussions the importance of the separation of power between law and prosecution.
“Pakatan Harapan was in power for 22 months and the separation of powers between the public prosecutor’s office and the AGC was part of their manifesto.
“Implementation, however, was a big challenge,” she said, pointing out how this issue is one which has been ongoing for many years now and the taskforce can be the beginning of an important institutional reformation.
Also present in the forum titled Improving the Attorney-General’s Chambers: Moving Towards Professional and Fair Prosecution was Sg Buloh MP Sivarasa Rasiah.
Sivarasa backed the recommendations presented by Andrew Yong of Bersih 2.0 on the separation of power and noted that a select committee to address the matter is being revamped according to the recently signed memorandum of understanding.
Two days ago, the prime minister announced the formation of a special investigative task force to look into allegations made by former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas in his memoir, My Story: Justice in the Wilderness.
According to Ismail Sabri, the special investigative task force aims to investigate Tommy’s allegations involving misuse of powers in the appointment of judges, the interference by the executive in the affairs of the judiciary, selective and political prosecutions as well as breaching the oath of secrecy. – The Vibes, October 13, 2021
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