LONDON, March 12, 2025 – Following visits to Canada and Australia in 2024, a Malaysian delegation led by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said is now in London, United Kingdom (UK), for the final phase of an empirical study on the proposed separation of the Attorney General (AG) and Public Prosecutor (PP) roles. The study aims to examine the UK’s framework in detail as a best practice reference to identify a suitable model for Malaysia.
The delegation includes prominent figures such as Tuan William Leong Jee Keen, Selayang MP and Chairman of the Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections, and Institutional Reform; Senator Rita Sarimah Anak Patrick Insol, Chairman of the Senate’s Special Select Committee on Law Review; Dato’ Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh, Besut MP representing the opposition bloc; Tuan Khoo Poay Tiong, Kota Melaka MP; Datuk Umar Saifuddin Jaafar, Solicitor-General II; Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab, President of the Malaysian Bar; and senior officials from the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department (BHEUU, JPM) and the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).
The study kicked off with a roundtable discussion co-organized by BHEUU, JPM, University College London (UCL), and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Facilitated by Professor Jeff King of UCL’s Faculty of Laws, the session saw over 30 participants from Malaysia and the UK, including legal experts and academics, focusing on the structure and functions of the AG and PP in both countries.
Civil society and non-governmental organizations with vested interests also participated, including the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM) on Integrity, Governance and Anti-Corruption (IGARI), the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), BERSIH, the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center), the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), Transparency International, and Stability and Accountability for Malaysia (Projek SAMA).
A key highlight was the delegation’s meeting with The Rt. Hon. Lord Hermer KC, Attorney General for England and Wales, at the UK Ministry of Justice. The discussion provided an in-depth explanation of the UK’s current system, covering the roles and functions of the AG and PP.
The delegation was also hosted by The Rt. Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons, in a reciprocal visit following his trip to the Malaysian Parliament on February 19. Talks focused on parliamentary reform, including the role of select committees and their support systems in enhancing parliamentary functions.
Further engagements included a session with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the UK body responsible for criminal prosecutions, where the delegation explored the PP’s powers and its relationship with the AG. Additionally, a meeting with His Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) shed light on its role in conducting periodic inspections of prosecution agencies for checks and balances.
The Secretariat of the Empirical Study Committee on the Separation of AG and PP Powers will prepare a final report to be submitted for Cabinet consideration later this year. This study underscores the MADANI Government’s commitment to institutional reform, aiming to enhance national governance for the benefit of the people and the country.
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