Government still studying implications of separating powers of AG and public prosecutor, says Wan Junaidi

– Bernama

KUCHING: The government is still studying the implications of the separation of powers between the attorney general (AG) and the public prosecutor, says Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (pic).

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) said that although many other countries, including Commonwealth countries, have done this, the proposal is not easy to implement.

He explained that for this to be implemented in Malaysia, as many as 19 existing laws – as well as the Federal Constitution – need to be amended.

He said the matter also involves costs that require additional government spending.

"If the proposal is implemented, the AG needs to have his own office, library, staff and advisers because he can no longer share the same space with the public prosecutor.

"We also don't know how many million ringgit would be needed yearly to finance this," he told reporters after attending a ceremony to hand over premium deposit for Masjid Kampung Sejingkat land at Kampung Sejingkat, here on Sunday (Sept 4).

Wan Junaidi said that personally, he supported the proposed separation of powers but a comprehensive study is needed before any decision is made.

On Saturday (Sept 3), political scientist from Sunway University, Prof Wong Chin Huat, suggested that the role of public prosecutor be separated from the attorney general before the 15th General Election (GE15).

According to him, the proposal is necessary so that the public prosecutor can be 'free' from any political interference. – Bernama