KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said wants the public to pressure their respective MPs to support a constitutional amendment separating the roles of attorney general (AG) and public prosecutor (PP).
She warned that the opportunity for reform could be lost if lawmakers fail to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
The report of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on the proposed constitutional amendments relating to the separation of powers was presented and tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (June 22).
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Azalina said the government needed bipartisan support to amend the Federal Constitution and described the proposal as a critical institutional reform that would strengthen Parliament’s role in key appointments.
"I believe that the public must pressure the MPs to support this amendment because we are preparing a new pathway for our country.
"This is what Parliament has been debating for many months – why Parliament is not involved.
"If this is what we are offering, I hope parliamentarians from both sides will accept this as a real change and a real reformasi for this country," she told reporters in Parliament.
She cautioned that the window for passing the amendment was narrowing, particularly with lawmakers expected to focus on the upcoming Johor state election.
"If we miss this, that’s the end of us. We do not know whether, after a general election, there will be acceptance of this reform," she said.
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Azalina said extensive discussions had already taken place, including seven meetings involving government and opposition lawmakers to examine whether the separation could be implemented.
"This is our commitment as MPs. But we need a two-thirds majority. If not, I am worried we will miss the opportunity," she said.
The Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026, which seeks to separate the powers and functions of the AG and PP, was tabled for its first reading on Feb 23.
Following feedback from lawmakers and stakeholders, the government referred the bill to a PSSC for further scrutiny.
According to Azalina, the committee, comprising both government and opposition MPs, conducted a detailed review of the proposal and received briefings from the Attorney General’s Chambers, legal experts, academics, professional bodies and civil society organisations.
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"What is being tabled today is the result of a comprehensive and inclusive process," she said.
Among the changes incorporated are provisions allowing Parliament to enact further laws on the appointment, removal and responsibilities of the PP, as well as a requirement that appointments be made only from candidates recommended by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (SPKP).
Azalina said the measures were aimed at ensuring appointments remained institution-based and free from executive influence.
She added that the government was continuing negotiations with the opposition to secure sufficient support for the amendment.
"We hope they will give us the numbers because the PSSC has worked hard to reach a compromise and the opposition was represented in the committee.
"It was not just government backbenchers," she said.
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Asked if concerns raised about the proposal had been resolved, Azalina said they had been, and she was scheduled to brief opposition MPs later in the day.
"The names will come from the SPKP. They will not come from the Prime Minister or the Cabinet.
"The most important thing is the role of Parliament. Many people have called for greater openness.
"This amendment shows the government is serious about ensuring transparency and providing institutional guarantees that the prosecution service remains professional," she added.
