A MAJOR constitutional reform aimed at reshaping Malaysia's criminal justice system has received a significant boost after DAP formally committed its support to legislation separating the powers of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor.
The move places one of the MADANI Government's most consequential institutional reform initiatives on firmer political footing ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote, with DAP vowing to mobilise the support of all its lawmakers to ensure the amendment is passed.
The party's endorsement was among the key decisions reached during a meeting of its Central Executive Committee on Thursday night, according to secretary-general Anthony Loke.
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, which seeks to establish a formal separation between the Attorney General's advisory functions and prosecutorial authority, has already undergone scrutiny by a bipartisan Parliamentary Special Select Committee and is scheduled for debate during the current Dewan Rakyat sitting.
“DAP is committed to securing the support of all its 40 Members of Parliament in the division vote and calls on all MPs to ensure that this historic constitutional amendment becomes a reality,” Bernama cited Loke saying in a statement.
The declaration represents one of the clearest endorsements yet of a reform that legal experts and governance advocates have long argued is necessary to safeguard prosecutorial independence from executive influence.
Loke, who also serves as Transport Minister, said the party remained committed to advancing the broader institutional reform agenda championed by the MADANI administration.
The proposed separation would fundamentally alter the structure of Malaysia's legal system by distinguishing between the Attorney General's role as the government's chief legal adviser and the Public Prosecutor's responsibility for criminal prosecutions.
Supporters argue that the reform would reduce potential conflicts of interest, strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice and reinforce the independence of prosecutorial decision-making.
Earlier this year, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Azalina Othman Said, said the separation would create a more independent prosecution institution while enhancing accountability within government.
She said the reform would enable the Attorney General to answer directly to Parliament on legal matters rather than relying on responses delivered through a minister.
According to Azalina, the change would also improve transparency by ensuring the Attorney General is personally accountable during parliamentary question-and-answer sessions, thereby strengthening institutional checks and balances.
The legislation was referred to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee on March 3 after lawmakers agreed that further consultation and scrutiny were required before the proposed constitutional changes proceeded to a vote.
The committee, chaired by Azalina and comprising 11 Members of Parliament from both government and opposition parties, subsequently reviewed the proposal and engaged relevant stakeholders before finalising the bill.
Should the amendment secure the necessary parliamentary support, it would mark one of the most significant legal and constitutional reforms undertaken in Malaysia in recent decades, redefining the relationship between government legal advisory functions and the prosecution of criminal cases while advancing a key pillar of the government's institutional reform programme. - June 5, 2026
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