Attorney-General to recuse himself sua sponte
PUTRAJAYA: Attorney- General (AG) Tommy Thomas has given assurance that he will recuse himself from cases involving parties he may know to avoid conflict of interest, according to the Malaysian Bar Council.
Bar council president George Varughese said the Solicitor General would then step in and carry out the functions of the AG as the law allowed.
“AG assured us when it comes to people he may have known when he was in private practice, where conflict of interest arises, he will immediately recuse himself from the issue involving these people,” he told a press conference after a closed- door meeting with Thomas at the AG’s Chambers here yesterday.
Thomas, 66, is the first practising lawyer to be appointed directly from the bar council as AG. He has over 40 years of industry experience. He replaces Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali.
Varughese said the bar council also submitted a proposal to the AG for the National Legal Aid Foundation and Legal Aid
AG assured us when it comes to people he may have known when he was in private practice, where conflict of interest arises, he will immediately recuse himself from the issue involving these people. George Varughese, Bar Council president
Department to be merged, to provide more comprehensive legal aid regulated by the government.
“We proposed a unified body to provide legal aid in the country,” he said.
On law reform in the country, Varughese said the bar council had submitted 55 proposals to the Committee on Institutional Reforms headed by Datuk K C Vohrah.
The proposals included repeal or abolishment of controversial laws including the Sedition Act 1948, Prevention of Crime Act ( POCA), and Security Offences ( Special Measures) Act ( Sosma) 2012.
“We have suggested for complete repeal and abolishment of these acts. Details are in the memorandum we submitted to the committee.
“We proposed there should be an independent law commission to look into new acts as well as amending acts to propose to parliament. We are working on the details as we go along,” he said.
Citing an example, he said AG was eager for the council to submit the proposal on amendment of the Legal Profession Act 1976 to enhance the independence and autonomy of the bar, as soon as possible.
On today’s meeting, Varughese said it was fruitful where both AG and the council put forward suggestions and proposals, with AG looking forward to closer ties and cooperation between himself and the bar Council including sharing of knowledge.
“AG is very particular that there should be consultation with all stakeholders in respect of the law reform.
“He asked the Bar Council to play a leading role to move forward these reform agenda in light of the experience the bar has,” Varughese added. — Bernama