MP questions formation of minister-led panel for AG-PP separation bill

2026-03-03 - 10:14

Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung said parliamentary reform is not merely about outcomes, but about process and institutional integrity. PETALING JAYA: A government backbencher has questioned the formation of a special parliamentary committee to deliberate a bill on separating the roles of the attorney-general and the public prosecutor when there is already a committee to deal with such legislative matters. PKR’s Lee Chean Chung pointed out that the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on human rights, elections and institutional reforms, chaired by Selayang MP William Leong, was already in place to handle such issues. Therefore, the decision to refer the bill to a new committee chaired by a minister “raises eyebrows”, he said. Lee also said Leong would be reduced to an “ordinary member” in the new committee. “Parliamentary reform is not merely about outcomes, but about process and institutional integrity,” the Petaling Jaya MP said in a Facebook post. “Whether this move strengthens scrutiny or signals an encroachment on parliamentary independence is a question that deserves careful reflection.” Earlier today, it was reported that law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said would lead the special parliamentary committee formed to further deliberate on the bill to separate the roles of the attorney-general and public prosecutor. The Dewan Rakyat approved the motion to refer the constitutional amendment bill to the committee in a voice vote. According to Azalina, the committee will go through the bill, including the accountability mechanism for the public prosecutor, and suggest any necessary amendments on the matter. The bill seeks to amend six articles of the Federal Constitution and introduce two new provisions to establish the public prosecutor as a separate constitutional office, transferring the prosecutorial powers currently vested in the attorney-general to an independent officeholder. Last week, 10 PKR MPs, including Lee, proposed referring the bill to a parliamentary special select committee for detailed scrutiny, saying the constitutional amendment should not be rushed given its far-reaching implications.