Malaysian Bar proposes Ambiga as AG (Updated)

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Bar has proposed that its former president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan be considered for the post of Attorney-General (AG).
Bar Council president George Varughese today said Ambiga would be independent and free from political pressure and this would ensure the independence of the AG's Chambers.
"If Ambiga is appointed as the new AG, she would ensure that the chambers would be free from political influences and interference," he said today. "Ambiga enjoys the confidence and support of the Malaysian Bar should she be chosen for the post."
However, Ambiga felt the proposal was premature and urged all parties not to speculate on the appointment of the AG.
She said it would better if the Bar had not mentioned any names and she was unaware of the proposal until raised by reporters.
Varughese had earlier urged the new government to remove the public prosecutor role from the Attorney-General, saying it is a necessary step to strengthen the independence of public prosecutors.
He said it was crucial to separate the office of the Attorney-General from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution, with the Attorney General only acting as adviser to the government, and a separate Director of Public Prosecution making decisions on matters of prosecution.