[UPDATED] Ruler of govt must choose AG from their own ranks: Azalina

KUALA LUMPUR – The prime minister of the ruling coalition should appoint the attorney-general (AG) from their own ranks, said Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

Speaking to a 3,000-strong crowd during a special briefing for Umno members following Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s imprisonment, Azalina said the prime minister is accorded full rights to appoint his choice for AG, with consent from the king.

“I don’t care if what I say angers the people but whoever is the prime minister must appoint the AG from his own people,'” she said to roaring applause.

She then draws on her experience as the Pengerang Umno division leader, where she would appoint office bearers from her own ranks of supporters.

“It’s that simple. I have been a division leader for 20 years and I would definitely appoint the division secretary, the information chief from my own people.

“But the Youth chief, Puteri chief, and Women chief, and their deputies are chosen by party members. That is the democracy within the party,” she said.

Azalina explains that the AG is accorded such tremendous power under the constitution including the power to prosecute or drop criminal charges against any individual.

“This is why it remains the norm for other democratic countries to appoint their nation’s top legal officer from the ranks of the ruling coalition or supporters.

“If we look at the history of any democratic nation, any changes of the AG will follow the will of their leaders.

“Enough, I do not want to talk too much, later we all will get arrested,” she said in jest. 

Azalina also alluded to external influences in Najib’s SRC final appeal hearing as his bid for adjournment and adducing fresh evidence is rejected by the court

“Don’t say you can’t even change the lawyers. If he is really guilty, if you change lawyers 10 times, you will remain guilty, isn’t that right?

“If you already made your decision, if you adjourned several times, it will still be the same decision, right?

“Isn’t that weird? I think they do not want the truth to come out.

“So if you can’t even adjourn (the hearing), then my answer is ‘jeng jeng jeng’,” she said, making a dramatic noise.

Azalina also said that those in power with a vested interest in seeing Najib imprisoned now might work towards seeing other Umno leaders behind bars. – The Vibes, August 27, 2022