Appoint AG without need for nod from PM

Former MAS CEO Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman says practice of appointing the nation's top lawyer and EC officers based on PM's advice has created doubts.

SHAH ALAM: Veteran lawyer Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman suggested that the government look for an alternative way to appoint an Attorney-General (AG) without the need for the prime minister’s recommendation.

The 81-year-old former MAS CEO also said that the current system, which sees the Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoint an AG based on the advice of the PM, had created doubts among some quarters.

“There are those who have little faith in the AG,” he said at a forum titled “Who is More Powerful: Administrator or Politicians?”.

Abdul Aziz said the Agong should also not appoint the Election Commission chairman and its board members based on the advice of the PM or government.

“If he (PM) does not do this, people will not be convinced that the EC is free from any influence.”

Several quarters, including the Opposition and election watchdogs, had in the past accused the EC of bending to the wishes of the ruling coalition.

Abdul Aziz, who left MAS in 1990 to pursue his work as a lawyer, said this in response to several questions from the audience over the perception that politicians were using administrators to their benefit.

Other panellists, including former Inspector-General of Police Rahim Noor and former Dewan Negara Speaker Adam Kadir, agreed with the suggestion.

Adam said that both politicians and administrators should use their power for the benefit of everyone and not just for several individuals.

Rahim said: “I support Tan Sri Aziz’s suggestion as the AG’s Chambers is tightly related to the law. The AG’s position is very important as his decision will dictate the IGP’s next course of action.”

He said everyone, be it administrators or civil servants, should respect and adhere to the law of the country.

He said Malaysia’s law is powerful as it practises the separation of powers. However, Rahim said, it would amount to nothing if no one respects it.

“This is what matters. Respect the country’s law. Law is justice.”