THE president of the Malaysian Bar has denied proposing that prominent lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan be considered for the position of attorney-general.

“We wish to clarify that the circumstances under which such an impression was created were purely accidental,” George Varughese said in a statement today.

“I was asked a question as to whether Ambiga Sreenevasan possessed the qualities of a person suitable for the position of attorney-general, to which I replied in the positive.

“The same was however taken to mean that the Malaysian Bar had proposed or endorsed the appointment of Ambiga Sreenevasan as the attorney-general.

“Such an impression is inaccurate and unfortunate. There is no doubt that there are several other candidates who are also qualified and suitable for the post of attorney-general.”

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that the Malaysian Bar had given its support for the appointment of Ambiga, its former president, to be appointed as the new attorney-general.

It reported that Varughese said Ambiga would be a “perfect candidate” for the position, given that she was not a politician, which would ensure the independence of the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

The current Attorney-General, Mohamed Apandi Ali, has been accused by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad of hiding evidence related to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal during the Najib Razak administration.

He was given a 30-day unrecorded leave starting today. – May 15, 2018.