Azalina said the proposed constitutional amendment would require a two-thirds majority in Parliament, making support from lawmakers crucial when the Bill is eventually put to a vote.
KUALA LUMPUR: Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has urged lawmakers from across the political divide to support the proposed separation of the Attorney-General and Public Prosecutor (AG-PP) roles.
She said the reform could help reduce public perceptions of politically motivated prosecutions and strengthen confidence in prosecutorial independence.
Azalina said the proposed constitutional amendment would require a two-thirds majority in Parliament, making support from lawmakers crucial when the Bill is eventually put to a vote.
“I appeal, if possible, to all Members of Parliament.
“The AG-PP separation Bill that we are doing is something good, and this can reduce, to some extent, the perception of political prosecution in any case.
“I really hope that members of the Dewan Rakyat, Dewan Negara and all political parties will welcome this separation Bill because it brings more benefits than disadvantages.
“It is for our country,” she told reporters after launching a public consultation on the proposed Coroner Bill here today.
Azalina said the reform was also intended to strengthen public confidence in the independence of the prosecution service.
“I don’t want to hear anymore that when someone is prosecuted, people say there is an ulterior motive behind it.
“Insya-Allah, this separation will provide greater confidence, especially when the Public Prosecutor is appointed through a parliamentary process,” she said.
The Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026 was tabled for first reading on Feb 23 before being referred to a bipartisan parliamentary special select committee on March 3.
Among the committee’s recommendations are a stronger parliamentary role in scrutinising candidates for Public Prosecutor, a fixed non-renewable seven-year term and excluding the Prime Minister and Cabinet from advising on the appointment.
The Bill’s second reading was postponed on July 14 to allow the proposed constitutional amendments to first be presented to the Conference of Rulers.
Azalina said last month that the Bill was ready, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as Leader of the House, to determine when it would be brought back before the Dewan Rakyat.