Apandi Ali takes legal action, says sacking as AG was unlawful

KUALA LUMPUR: Former attorney general Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali (pic) has sent a letter of demand to the Attorney General's Chambers seeking restitution over his termination from his post, which he says is unlawful.

In the letter of demand which was served through the law firm of Messrs Shukor Baljit & Partners, Apandi said that his termination was orchestrated and decided by the-then prime minister.

He said he was appointed the attorney general on July 27, 2015 with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for a period of three years until July 26, 2018.

Apandi added that the appointment could be terminated pursuant to Article 145 (5) of the Federal Constitution.

He said that the Chief Secretary had notified him of his reappointment with effect on July 27, 2018 through a letter on April 6 of the same year and that he wrote a letter on May 7, 2018 to state that he accepted being reappointed to the post.

Apandi added that on June 5 of the same year, he was notified by the Chief Secretary that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had consented to his termination but he was never furnished with any document that proved the Royal Consent.

He said that his termination was orchestrated and decided by the then-prime minister who had “arrogated to himself the power of termination unlawfully”.

Apandi added that the then-prime minister had abused his position, committed misconduct as a public officer and committed misfeasance in public office.

He categorically stated that his termination was unlawful, null and void.

As a result, he said he suffered losses and damages, including the loss of earnings, allowances and other benefits from July 27, 2018 until July 26, 2021.

Meanwhile, Apandi's lawyer Datuk Baljit Singh Sidhu said the letter of demand was sent to the Attorney General’s Chambers on Wednesday (Sept 30).

Apandi demands an offer of restitution and unspecified damages within seven days of the date on the letter, failing which he would commence legal proceedings for an appropriate remedy including exemplary or punitive damages as well as costs.

In May 2018, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced Apandi had been told to go on leave.

The next month, Apandi was succeeded by Tan Sri Tommy Thomas.