KUALA LUMPUR – Intense lobbying for the attorney-general’s post is causing a delay in the announcement of the extension of Tan Sri Idrus Harun’s contract.
Appointed by the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin government in 2020, Idrus is already set for reappointment with his letter already prepared, according to high-placed sources.
However, lobbying by others, including Umno warlords, for their own candidate is said to be causing the announcement’s delay.
Today, DAP vice-president and Ipoh Barat MP M. Kula Segaran has questioned the government’s tardiness as Idrus’ tenure as attorney-general ends today.
In a statement, he asked if the delay in appointing a new AG or extending Idrus’ contract is linked to the “fate of the court cluster”.
If no announcements were to be made about Idrus’ contract extension, he said that it would raise a lot of questions.
“Is it true that the cabinet and the prime minister are not happy with the AG because he is still prosecuting individuals in the famous ‘court cluster’?
“Or does the prime minister want a new AG of his choice to take care of the interests of Umno?”
While Kula Segaran did not mention names, several MPs from Umno are currently facing court charges.
They are Umno heavyweights Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.
Meanwhile, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who was once part of the “court cluster”, was acquitted by the Kuala Lumpur High Court of two criminal charges involving money laundering and giving a false statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
The term “court cluster” is generally understood to refer to the group of Umno leaders and lawmakers facing graft allegations in court.
Kula, who is also a lawyer, said the AG post cannot be left vacant as the government has many legal decisions to make.
“Who will advise the government when these decisions need to be made if the AG position is vacant? By leaving this position as a government adviser, many decisions will have to be delayed.”
He added that the successor for such an important position is usually identified “a long time ago” and the delay in announcing it is highly irregular.
“It is an embarrassment to any nation to have to go through this.”
He also reminded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob that there is no caretaker AG and the appointment should be done independently as well as at the behest of the people.
“The individual cannot have political favouritism and must be a respectable individual. The individual must also be free of any baggage. For such an important role, we must know what the reason for the delay is. The nation deserves an answer.”
On Friday, The Vibes reported that Idrus is set to serve in his current post for at least another year.
According to sources close to the matter as well as in the legal fraternity, the 67-year-old’s contract was renewed till 2023.
Idrus, who is also the older brother of Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun was appointed on March 6, 2020, under then-prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s government on a two-year contract.
Prior to his appointment, Idrus had also served as solicitor-general, in addition to being the Election Commission as well as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s legal adviser in separate stints.
It is also learnt that several senior lawyers had been offered the post but had turned it down.
Idrus, who is a former Federal Court judge, replaced Tan Sri Tommy Thomas, who had tendered his resignation on February 28, 2020, following Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s resignation, which triggered the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.
As per the federal constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoints the attorney-general, who also acts as the public prosecutor, upon the advice of the prime minister.
It is also learnt that the position of solicitor-general remains vacant after Datuk Abdul Razak Musa went on mandatory retirement last month.
However, amid speculation that Idrus is set to serve in his current post for at least another year, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has remained tight-lipped about the matter.
Speaking to The Vibes yesterday, Wan Junaidi said he is unable to confirm news on Idrus’ contract extension as it is under the purview of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. – The Vibes, March 6, 2022
