KUALA LUMPUR – The Attorney-General’s Chambers is finalising a report on separating the roles of the attorney-general and solicitor-general, which entails an amendment to Article 145 of the federal constitution.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law) Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Baru) told the Dewan Rakyat today that the report will be presented to the cabinet at year-end.
“I would like to bring the Dewan’s attention to the fact that the previous (Pakatan Harapan) administration had given the excuse that they needed to have a two-thirds majority before they could table this amendment.”
Pointing to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he said the former prime minister had claimed that his government did not have such a majority.
“But something good like this doesn’t need the government to hold a two-thirds majority,” said Takiyuddin in his reply to Khalid Abdul Samad (PH-Shah Alam).
“As long as there is support from the opposition, we can pass this amendment.”
Khalid said separating the powers of the attorney-general and solicitor-general was part of PH’s 2018 election manifesto, therefore, any amendment to the constitution regarding the matter will have the coalition’s full support.
He said he believes that separating the two offices will curb or mitigate politically motivated prosecution.
In response, Takiyuddin stressed that Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun and his most senior officers are preparing a cabinet memorandum and completing the draft amendment. – The Vibes, November 5, 2020
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