KUALA LUMPUR – Amid speculation that Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun is set to serve in his current post for at least one more year, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has chosen to remain mum.
Wan Junaidi told The Vibes today that he is unable to confirm news on Idrus’ contract extension as it is under the purview of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“I cannot confirm anything on this matter. Even if I’m involved in this matter, it is not up to me to make the announcement because the prime minister will be the one doing so.
“At the end of the day, it is the prime minister who makes the call and then advises the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as accorded under the constitution.”
Yesterday, The Vibes reported that Idrus is set to serve in his current post for at least one more year.
According to sources close to the matter as well as in the legal fraternity, the 67-year-old’s contract, which expires today, 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. – The Vibes, March 5, 2022
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