‘We won’t be a rubber stamp’: MPs demand parliamentary vetting for public prosecutor in constitutional split Bill

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — Several PKR lawmakers today called on the government to expand parliamentary oversight in the planned constitutional amendments aimed at separating the offices of the Attorney General (AG) and the Public Prosecutor (PP).

The lawmakers alleged some parts of the draft are problematic, claiming it could sideline the Dewan Rakyat from playing a meaningful role in vetting candidates for the country’s top prosecutorial post.

“The national duty as Members of Parliament is not to blindly support any bills put to us but to carefully scrutinise and carry out reforms that promote better governance,” the statement read, adding that MPs would not serve as a “mere rubber stamp”.

Among the points of contention cited is Clause 18 of the amendment, which the lawmakers said only requires the Judicial and Legal Service Commission to inform Parliament of nominated names and allow for comments.

Subang MP Wong Chen, speaking at a press conference in Parliament, said this mechanism should be rejected, labelling it “perfunctory and devoid of genuine oversight”.

“What we must have is a bipartisan parliamentary vetting process for nominees proposed by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, with open and transparent hearings in which Parliament on behalf of the rakyat, is able to rigorously examine nominees,” he said.

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