Zaid Ibrahim backs NGO's call for separation of AG, public prosecutor roles

Former minister Zaid Ibrahim is in agreement with the call from the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs’s (Ideas) for the separation of the attorney-general (AG) and public prosecutor roles.

He was present at a forum organised by Ideas, entitled 'Should the roles of the attorney-general and the public prosecutor be separated?' at the Universiti Malaya Alumni Association club house in Kuala Lumpur today
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“We should follow other developed countries (in separating the roles of the attorney-general and the public prosecutor),” Zaid said during the discussion.

He was referring to nations like the United Kingdom and Australia, where the attorney-general is answerable to the Parliament and not to the executive (the prime minister), while the director of public prosecution is independent in making decisions to prosecute.

Ideas chief executive Wan Saiful Wan Jan had mentioned in a statement earlier that with one individual holding both the attorney-general and public prosecutor roles, it would create a conflict of interest if a particular case involved the government.

“The attorney-general is the chief legal advisor to the government, while the public prosecutor is expected to make decisions on whether or not to prosecute a case […] it is not fair on the AG to be burdened with this conflict of interest because it could lead to a situation where people question the integrity of even the most honest and dedicated AG,” Wan Saiful said.

Bar Council member Rajpal Singh and Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) president Cynthia Gabriel, who were part of the forum panel, also expressed support for Ideas’ call for the separation of roles.

The forum was organised by the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) in conjunction with the launch of their #NyahKorupsi (#EliminateCorruption) campaign.

Besides strengthening the institution of attorney general and public prosecutor, Ideas also urged that three other steps be taken in order to achieve the government’s National Key Recovery Area (NKRA) Fighting Corruption targets.

They consist of:

· Upgrading the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into a constitutionally mandated Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (IACC);

· Amending relevant parts of the MACC Act 2009 to give more investigative powers to the relevant bodies; and

· Amending Acts like the Official Secrets Act, Whistleblower Protection Act, Witness Protection Act, and to introduce laws that enable freedom of information and asset declarations.

Dr M backs Amanah, has started campaigning for them, says Zaid

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has already started campaigning for Parti Amanah Negara in the coming Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar by-elections, claims an ex-minister.

Former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim told Malaysiakini this when asked if the long-time former Umno president would support the splinter party that had come from the latter's arch-enemy PAS.

“Oh, he (Mahathir) is backing Amanah. He has already gone down to campaign,” claimed Zaid when met after a forum titled 'Should the Roles of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor be separated?'

The forum at the Universiti Malaya Alumni Association club house, Kuala Lumpur, was organised by the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) in conjunction with the launch of their #NyahKorupsi (#EliminateCorruption) campaign.

When asked if he considers the Citizens' Declaration a success seeing it has made little visible impact on Prime Minister Najib Razak's position, Zaid said the by-elections would have some indication.

"Najib’s position is still not settled. He said he’s very strong, but we don’t think so.

"You cannot use the Sarawak (election) as a basis or indicator. We’ll see what happens after the by-elections," he said.

‘Not in position to advise Kit Siang’

When asked if he had spoken with DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang regarding his prior suggestion that DAP should abandon its electoral pact with PKR and focus on its alliance with Amanah, Zaid chuckled.

“I have met him (Lim). We had a friendly chat.

"We were just discussing the political scenario […] He’s a seasoned politician. I am not in a position to advise him on anything.

“But we had a good meeting… on other matters, (it was) not about PKR,” Zaid, who was also a former PKR leader, said.

Prior to the Sarawak election, Zaid commenting on the failed seat negotiations between DAP and PKR said he would invite Lim to dinner after the state polls.

"During the dinner I will suggest the following: forget about electoral pact altogether.

"It did not work in GE13 and has not worked in the Sarawak election. The best hope for a truly believable opposition pact is between DAP and Amanah," he said.