KUALA LUMPUR: The Constitutional Amendment Bill to separate the powers of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor will be tabled for its second and third readings in the next meeting of the Dewan Rakyat after the proposed law is presented to the Conference of Rulers, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department had tabled the Parliamentary Special Select Committee’s report on the refined amendments to the proposed law in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday(July 14).
However, she then invoked Standing Order 62 to seek for the proceedings for the second reading of the Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026 to be adjourned and resumed at the next meeting of the Dewan Rakyat.
“The government intends to present a notification to the Conference of Rulers regarding the further proposed amendments tabled today. This step is being taken as a mark of respect for the institution of Constitutional Monarchy and to ensure that this constitutional reform process is carried out in an orderly and responsible manner, in accordance with the country’s constitutional practices,” she said.
In this regard, the government intends to proceed with the Second Reading and Third Reading of the Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026, including the debate and decision-making process, at the next meeting of the Dewan Rakyat after the Conference of Rulers has been informed of the proposed amendments,” she added.
She said MPs have raised several concerns since the committee report was tabled. Among them are the limited role of Parliament in the appointment of the Public Prosecutor, whereby the august House is only informed of the proposed candidates.
To address this, the government will introduce a further amendment to Clause (18) of Article 145A to strengthen Parliament’s role in the appointment process of the Public Prosecutor.
“This amendment is the result of consideration of views submitted by MPs from both sides of the House, legal experts, professional bodies and civil society organisations, and has been approved by the cabinet,” she said.
“Under this proposed amendment, the name of the candidate for Public Prosecutor must first be submitted to the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat to be presented before the House.
“The candidate will then be scrutinised by a Dewan Rakyat Select Committee before the Dewan Rakyat makes a recommendation to the Judicial and Legal Service Commission. In accordance with this recommendation, the Judicial and Legal Service Commission shall advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong only on the name recommended by the Dewan Rakyat,” she added.
She said the amendment reflects the government’s openness towards accepting suggestions to continue institutional reforms.
As it is a constitutional amendment, the Bill requires a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat to be passed.
It was referred to a 12-member bipartisan Parliamentary Special Select Committee after its second reading in March this year.
