KUALA LUMPUR (June 25): The government has agreed to give Parliament a formal role in the appointment process of the public prosecutor as recommended by a parliamentary committee.

Parliament will determine the procedures for carrying out its role in the appointment process in accordance with the laws and regulations in force, according to a statement from Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

"In terms of implementation, the mechanism for Parliament’s involvement will be carried out through a Parliamentary Special Select Committee to be established to examine the list of candidates for the position,” she said.

The statement follows a slew of recommendations, including presenting candidates to Parliament, proposed by a special committee reviewing a move to separate the dual functions of the attorney general.  

A group of backbenchers led by Wong Chen (PH-Subang) argued that the proposed legislation in its current form falls short of ensuring meaningful oversight as Parliament is limited to notification and non-binding feedback.

"Giving Parliament a role in the appointment process strengthens accountability and institutional checks and balances, while fully respecting the Federal Constitution, the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and the nation’s fundamental administrative structure,” Azalina said.

After being informed of the list of candidates by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, the new Parliamentary Select Committee would provide comments that include assessments and recommendations on whether candidates should be recommended or not, she said.

“Any issues relating to the confidentiality of candidates will be determined by the Parliamentary Select Committee based on the laws and regulations in force,” Azalina said.

She called on lawmakers from both sides of the political divide to support the reform initiative.

“I hope all members of Parliament from both the government and the opposition can come together in supporting this institutional reform effort,” she said. “This reform is not about any particular party, but about the interests of our nation.”

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