KUALA LUMPUR: Having a Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA) that includes political parties other than Bersatu would help push for majority support for separating the offices of the Attorney-General and the Public Prosecutor (AG-PP), says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (pic).
She said this would enable the AG-PP matter "to transcend political parties because the parties themselves would benefit from it."
Azalina said this to the media after officiating a forum on Asian Insolvency Reform 2026 titled "Future-proofing Asian Insolvency Systems" here on Wednesday (Nov 4).
“We do not want a situation where, following a general election and a change of government, someone is suddenly charged and the case is immediately labelled as political prosecution.
“If we implement this now, it will bring greater benefits to political parties and politicians rather than causing them harm.
“That is why I believe we should aim for 148 votes. Out of 222 parliamentary seats, minus four, that leaves 218. Even with 218 eligible votes, I would still need at least 148 votes in favour.
“If all 218 members of Parliament voted in favour of the AG-PP, that would send a very positive message to the people that politicians recognise this separation as a necessary and appropriate reform for the future of the country's political landscape.
“I am appealing to politicians. Perhaps they may wish to table a motion under the CSA, but I am not involved in that.
“The Deputy Prime Minister II, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, is handling the CSA. However, I have been informed that the CSA will focus on two major constitutional amendments - the AG-PP and limiting the Prime Minister's tenure," said Azalina.
She further stated that a safeguard exists preventing immediate implementation of the AG-PP separation due to the supporting legislation that needs to be passed.
"The safeguard for the AGPP is that if we proceed to Parliament for a constitutional amendment, it cannot be implemented immediately. The implementation process could take a year because of the ancillary legislation that needs to be passed.
"We are talking about 21 pieces of ancillary legislation that Parliament needs to pass. That will take time because Parliament only has three sittings a year. So, it is not as though if we establish the AG-PP today, obtain the necessary approval, and separate the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor tomorrow, everything will be done. It does not work that way. The process takes time.
"What I am trying to emphasise to the public in my speech is that, regardless of what laws we introduce in Parliament, their implementation must also be carried out swiftly.
"The point I am trying to make is that the government is on the right track. However, we do not want a situation where, if the government changes, things take a turn for the worse, as can happen in Malaysian politics, and the reforms are subsequently reversed. We must consider the people behind us who support the changes we are introducing. Therefore, there must be consistency. And that consistency can only be achieved through firm and effective implementation," said Azalina.
On Oct 29, Bersatu MPs led by its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin signed a CSA with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Madani government.
The agreement involved 13 opposition and independent MPs: namely six Bersatu MPs aligned with Muhyiddin and six former Bersatu MPs who had previously supported Anwar.
The CSA was also signed by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
Two days later, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi proposed extending the arrangement to political parties from both sides of the political divide.
