Pas: Former CJ Zaki should be A-G
KUALA LUMPUR: Pas believes that former chief justice Tun Zaki Azmi is the right man to be appointed attorney-general (AG), in accordance with the provisions of Article 145(1) of the Federal Constitution.
Pas secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said the provision stated that the Yang diPertuan Agong had to appoint the A-G, on the advice of the prime minister, from among those qualified to be appointed as Federal Court judges.
“Who would be in a better position to understand what is needed than Tun Zaki... who was appointed a Federal Court judge in 2007, and has a record of extensive experience in judicial and legal services for almost 30 years,” he said in a statement.
Recently, senior lawyer Tommy Thomas was reported to have been proposed as the new A-G, in place of Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, who was instructed to take a month-long vacation.
However, this had met with opposition from the king.
Takiyuddin said one of the important roles of the A-G was to ensure that syariah law could be implemented effectively and in a diplomatic manner.
“Therefore, the A-G must be a person who has an in-depth understanding of the principles of Islamic law, as well as civil legislation.
“Pas is of the view that the A-G
Who would be in a better position to understand what is needed than Tun Zaki... who was appointed a Federal Court judge in 2007, and has a record of extensive experience in judicial and legal services for almost 30 years.
Pas secretary-general
should have the ‘concern of the religion and concern of the king’ at heart as it fits with the development of a healthy religious consciousness among Malaysians and globally, as well as based on the principles of the constitutional monarchy.
“Without the attitude of ‘concern for religion and concern for the king’, there is a great deal of worry that the people’s confidence in the royal institution will generally not be taken into account as any legal action against the Malay ruler in the Special Court requires the consent of the attorney-general,” he said.
Following the tension that arose from this issue, Takiyuddin suggested that the appointment of the A-G be discussed in a closed-door meeting between the prime minister and the Yang diPertuan Agong to avoid any negative perceptions and provocative risks.
He said the disclosure to the public about the proposal would have put Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V in an awkward position as he needed to consider the candidate proposed by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“Pas hopes that the appointment of the A-G will not be exploited by any party to cause anxieties and crises that are unfavourable to the people and the country.
“This issue should be taken seriously and wisely handled as it involves the highest position in the administration of the Federal Government, in particular, the legislature,” he said.