KUALA LUMPUR (March 3): The much-anticipated bill to separate the dual functions of the attorney general has been postponed to be referred to a newly established parliamentary committee.

A motion by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said was approved by the lower house of Parliament on Tuesday.

The committee will review the bill, including mechanisms for accountability of the newly proposed public prosecutor, and prepare a statement containing suggested amendments within three months. “The committee may extend the three-month period if necessary,” Azalina noted.

Azalina will chair the committee, which includes MPs from across the political spectrum. Members are William Leong (Selayang-PH), Syahredzan Johan (Bangi-PH), Adly Zahari (Alor Gajah-PH), Noraini Ahmad (Parit Sulong-BN), Roy Angau (Lubok Antu-GPS), Ram Karpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor-PH), Hamzah Zainudin (Larut-PN), Takiyuddin Hassan (Kota Bharu-PN), Ronald Kiandee (Beluran-PN) and Syed Saddiq (Muar-Muda).

The committee is also empowered to invite MPs, legal experts, constitutional specialists, civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations to attend and provide input.

The Constitution (Amendment) (No 2) Bill 2026, first tabled on Feb 23, seeks to carve out a separate office for the public prosecutor from the attorney general.

Central to the bill is a proposed Article 145a, which allows the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to appoint the public prosecutor on the recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission after consulting the Conference of Rulers.

The public prosecutor’s term of office is proposed to be seven years. The attorney general will continue to advise the government on legal matters, while criminal law and criminal procedure cases will fall under the public prosecutor's purview.

The bill, part of the government’s long-promised reforms, has hit a hurdle amid criticism over limited parliamentary oversight and an appointment process that still reflects executive influence.

Former economic minister Rafizi Ramli, leading a group of 10 MPs, warned they may withhold support unless proposals they outlined are incorporated. As a constitutional amendment, the bill requires a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

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