IN LIGHT of the fact that Barisan Nasional (BN) will now use the declassified report on former attorney-general (AG) Tan Sri Tommy Thomas’ book titled, ‘My Story: Justice in the Wilderness’ and the Pulau Batu Puteh issue as BN’s political “bullets” against Pakatan Harapan (PH) in BN’s election campaign during the coming general election, I urge all concerned voters to demand their respective parliamentary candidates, regardless of their political parties, to push for a publicly-elected Attorney-General (AG) in the event they are elected.
It is time for Malaysia to have an AG who is not a political appointment in order to be independent from the executive branch of the Government.
Meanwhile, over the recent statement made by caretaker Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob admitting that he had instructed the AG Datuk Seri Idris Harun to take immediate action against former AG, Tommy Thomas, Idris can no longer remain silent as Malaysians are waiting for his clarifications, at least on the following pertinent questions:
When did Ismail Sabri instruct Idris to take action against Thomas over the contents of his book?
As a caretaker Prime Minister, is Ismail Sabri’s conduct subverting Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution, which says the AG ‘shall have power, exercisable at his discretion, to institute, conduct or discontinue any proceedings for an offence, other than proceedings before a Syariah court, a native court or a court-martial’?
Was this the first time that Ismail Sabri instructed the AG to initiate or not to initiate action against someone or a body during Ismail Sabri’s less than 14 months’ tenure as the Prime Minister?
Idris Harun has to be reminded that how he handles Ismail Sabri’s said instruction, will be recorded in Malaysian history and remembered by the legal fraternity for many more years to come. – Oct 20, 2022
Lim Lip Eng is DAP’s central committee member and former MP for Kepong and Segambut.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia
Main photo credit: Bernama
