KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed separation of powers between the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and the public prosecutor’s office is already being studied, but its implementation is quite complicated and requires more time as it involves financial implications.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that in principle, many have agreed with the proposed separation of powers, but its implementation is still being refined as it may involve additional financial implications of almost RM300 million.
“But I agree that (the financial implication issue) is not the main consideration because what’s important is that to ensure a prosecution process is transparent and independent,” he said during the Minister’s Question Time session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said this in reply to a supplementary question from Chiew Choon Man (Miri-PH) on whether the government is ready to separate the Public Prosecutor’s office from the AGC in the near future, in order to prevent selective political prosecution.
Meanwhile, Anwar admitted that some political leaders from the government and opposition bloc are being probed by the authorities, but whether they would be charged in court would depend on the AGC.
Anwar said the proposed establishment of the independent body is appropriate because it is more comprehensive and can take action on all complaints involving enforcement agencies.
“When there is an issue with the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission, the question raised is why only the police…the matter should involve all enforcement agencies,” he said.
Meanwhile, in response to Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin’s (PN-Masjid Tanah) original question, he said the existing law ensures MACC’s freedom in conducting investigations and is not subject to the prime minister’s instructions.
“That’s why when I took over, I chose not to replace the MACC chief commissioner appointed by Pagoh to avoid the perception that the prime minister will appoint a new MACC chief,” he explained.
Earlier, Mas Ermieyati asked the prime minister to state the government’s readiness to implement Transparency International Malaysia’s (TI-M) recommendations for the MACC to be placed under the Parliament and no longer under the Prime Minister’s Department to ensure a more transparent check and balance process.
Anwar said he has no problem considering the TI-M’s recommendations but stressed that it requires a comprehensive study involving all parties.
“Any development on this recommendation should be presented to the Parliamentary Select Committee to be examined so that the MACC’s capabilities can be enhanced without any interventions that are feared will hamper anti-corruption efforts,” he said.
He said the MACC is being monitored by five independent bodies, namely the Special Committee on Corruption, Anti-Corruption Advisory Board, Operations Evaluation Panel, Complaints Committee, and Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel.
To a supplementary question from Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) on whether the prime minister wants to proceed with the proposed law on political funding, Anwar said the matter is still at the minister’s level. – BERNAMA
