Don’t interfere with A-G’s powers, says Jalsoa

PETALING JAYA: The Judicial and Legal Service Officers Association (Jalsoa) has unanimously passed a motion denouncing interference by any bodies, including the Malaysian Bar, in the Attorney-General’s power to exercise his discretion as provided for under the Federal Constitution.

Jalsoa executive committee said the motion was passed at its extraordinary general meeting on Wednesday.

“The Malaysian Bar has no right to propose a motion to pressure Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali to resign from his post,” the association said in a statement yesterday.

It added that all parties must respect the Attorney-General as a free institution that upholds the Constitution, justice and the law, and protects the country’s interests.

The Malaysian Bar on March 19 passed the motion on Mohamed Apandi with a majority vote at its 70th annual general meeting.

The motion also called on the Solicitor-General to take on the role of Public Prosecutor in the investigation involving Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, 1Malaysia Development Bhd, SRC International and the RM2.6bil donation controversy.

The three lawyers who moved the motion – Charles Hector, Francis Pereira and Shanmugam Ramasamy – are being investigated under the Sedition Act.

On Jan 26, the Attorney-General’s Chambers had absolved Najib of any criminal offence over the RM2.6bil donation.

It also cleared the Prime Minister of any wrongdoing in the matter of a RM4bil government loan in 2011 to SRC International.

Mohamed Apandi had also directed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to close the files.