KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Sri Idrus Harun has been reappointed as the attorney-general (AG) and will be serving in the position for another year.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, in a statement today, said the reappointment was assented to by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
In accordance with Clause (1) of Article 145 of the federal constitution, the king had assented to the reappointment, effective March 6.
The Vibes reported on Friday that the 67-year-old’s contract has been extended by another year.
However, intense lobbying for the position by politicians had caused the delay in the announcement.
It is learnt that several prominent lawyers associated with Umno, including party warlords, had been offered the post but turned it down.
The delay in the announcement did not sit well with opposition lawmakers, with some of them questioning the government’s tardiness as Idrus’ tenure ended on Sunday.
DAP vice-president M. Kula Segaran asked if the delay in appointing a new AG or extending Idrus’ contract was linked to the “fate of the court cluster”.
“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, who is also the Ipoh Barat MP, 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.
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.
Idrus, 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.
In related news, it is also learnt that the position of solicitor-general remains vacant after Datuk Abdul Razak Musa went on mandatory retirement last month. – The Vibes, March 8, 2022
.png)
