Azalina slammed for saying PM should appoint “one of his own” as AG

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UMNO lawmaker Azalina Othman Said has come under fire for saying that the prime minister should appoint the attorney-general (AG) from among “his people” to “make matters easier”.

“I don’t care if what I say angers the people but whoever is the prime minister must appoint the AG from his own people,” the Pengerang MP and law and human rights adviser to the prime minister said yesterday (Aug 27), BFM News reported.

Malaysiakini, on the other hand, quoted her as saying: “If the power to change the AG is in the hands of the prime minister, why didn’t he change the AG when this is under his jurisdiction?”

She did not mention names but media reports speculated that she was referring to current prime minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

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Resign, Azalina told for saying PM should pick “one of his own” as AG

DATUK Seri Azalina Othman Said has proven to be “unfit” to advise the prime minister on governing the nation based on the rule of law and must step down as his special adviser for law and human rights, an opposition MP said.

This after the UMNO lawmaker said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob should appoint the attorney-general (AG) – the top legal adviser for the Government – from among “his people” to “make matters easier”.

On Saturday (Aug 27), Azalina reportedly told a special UMNO briefing that most democratic countries appoint their top legal officers from among their ruling coalitions and supporters as the AG is accorded “tremendous power” under the Federal Constitution, including the power to prosecute or drop criminal charges against any person.

The Pengerang MP added that the recent sentencing of Datuk Seri Najib Razak would “not be the last” among UMNO leaders, and blamed this on current AG Tan Sri Idrus Harus (although she did not mention him by name).

DAP’s spokesman on law and Parliament Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham said it was shocking for Azalina to make such a call, noting that such an AG would be biased towards UMNO.

“In the context of the call she made, she is saying the PM should appoint an AG who will act according to the PM’s dictates, including abusing the power of the AG, who acts as the public prosecutor, to withdraw charges against the corrupt and those who abused power, especially UMNO leaders.

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