Gopal Sri Ram suggests Idrus Harun as AG

PETALING JAYA: Former judge Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram (pic) has recommended Court of Appeal judge Tan Sri Idrus Harun as the new Attorney-General (AG).

In an interview with local radio station Lite, Sri Ram said Idrus would be a good candidate as the latter had the required experience to be AG.

“He was a solicitor-general. He is a very good person to have in mind for AG. So if the Prime Minister were to ask me and (former Federal Court judge) Datuk Abdul Kadir Sulaiman whom we would recommend, we would probably say Idrus Harun,” said Sri Ram.

He added that Idrus would make a good AG as he understands the workings of the Attorney-General’s Chambers as he had been there for some time.

He also said that he had met Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at least twice, but did not discuss the appointment of the AG.

Sri Ram said Idrus was “eased out in the political machination” following the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

“He has been thrust into the Court of Appeal, an arena which he is quite unfamiliar with. He would best serve the nation if he went back into the Chambers and became the AG,” he added.

Dr Mahathir proposed senior lawyer Tommy Thomas for the AG post, which the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V reportedly does not agree with.

Dr Mahathir is adamant about replacing Tan Sri Apandi Ali and submitted Thomas' name as the sole candidate.

According to a source, however, Sultan Muhammad V suggested four names to Dr Mahathir, including an existing Federal Court judge and a Court of Appeal judge.