Study ongoing on separation of functions of public prosecutor, AG — Dr Mahathir

PUTRAJAYA: A detailed study is being made on the proposed separation of functions of the public prosecutor and the attorney-general, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday.

He said the implementation of the proposal will have to be deferred because it involves amendments to the Federal Constitution.

“Right now we do not have the two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat for the amendment to be approved,” he said after chairing a meeting of the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption here.

According to a report quoting a statement by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Hanipa Maidin, the implementation of the proposal requires amending Article 145 of the Federal Constitution and a revision of the laws relating the powers of the public prosecutor and attorney-general provided under the Criminal Procedure Code and the Interpretation Acts 1948 and 1967.

Dr Mahathir said the proposal to improve the policy on political engagement among civil servants is also deferred for a detailed study to be made on the matter as “we are still unable to determine whether officers can be allowed to get involved in politics.”

For example, Dr Mahathir said, officers appointed by Cabinet ministers have to be involved in politics because they communicate with the people.