BERSIH 2.0 has launched an online petition calling for the separation of the public prosecution function from the roles of the Attorney-General.  

The petition on change.org was launched by the electoral watchdog this morning and has up to now received 23 signatures.

Bersih said that given the AG’s appointment by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the prime minister to act as the legal advisor to the king, PM, and cabinet, there was a conflict of interest in his role as the public prosecutor. 

“This a conflict of interest and has led to allegations of political interference through selective prosecution and immunity, non-pursuance of existing charges and withdrawal of charges for those aligned with the government,” the group said. 

They said that the public prosecutor should be an individual free from the influence of the executive and the king, and should be appointed in a transparent process. 

“The AG should remain to be appointed on the advice of the PM to be the government’s legal advisor and have no role in any judicial processes. 

“The rule of law is part of our Rukun Negara and the principle of the separation of power between the executive, judiciary and legislature must be upheld at all times.” 

Bersih said the petition will be online for two weeks, after which the signatures will be submitted to Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob together with its “Reforming the Office of Attorney General and The Judicial and Legal Services in Malaysia” report. – September 26, 2022.