PKR Sarawak has joined in the call for the impasse surrounding the appointment of the new attorney-general to be resolved without the “divisive” elements of race and religion.

“We are disappointed that race and religion have been dragged into the equation when there is no legal basis for these to be of any consideration in the appointment of the attorney-general,” state PKR chief Baru Bian said today.

In a letter to the Agong two weeks ago, Prime Minster Dr Mahathir Mohamad proposed that lawyer and constitutional expert Tommy Thomas replace existing A-G Mohamad Apandi Ali.

However, the Agong and other Malay rulers are believed to be unwilling to appoint Thomas as he is non-Muslim and non-Malay.

Baru said the results of the 14th general election have shown that Malaysians reject the “divisive politics of race and religion practised by Umno”.

“The various races had come together to elect this new government and it is truly unfortunate that the reluctance to accept Tommy Thomas as the new attorney-general threatens to again separate the people.

“This is a new beginning for Malaysia where we must learn to look at ourselves as Malaysians, not as Chinese or Malay or Indian or Dayak,” said Baru, who is also the Selangau MP.

Baru said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong should follow the Westminster system which the country practised where the king appoints the attorney-general on the advice of the prime minister.

“Many constitutional lawyers have pointed out that there is no provision in the federal constitution for the Agong to reject the prime minister’s recommendation in the appointment of the attorney-general.

“The Agong must know that the recommendation has the approval and support of the component parties of Pakatan Harapan, and of the fact that Malaysians just want to get on with rebuilding and restoring our country.” – June 4, 2018.