Monday, February 19, 2024

How long for AG/PP Terrirudin to investigate Zahid Hamidi's matters? Waiting for Judge Collin Sequerah to retire? Charge him using s.254A CPC, or keep us updated as to how long more we have to wait?

It is has been more than 4 Months since the Public Prosecutor/Attorney General discontinued the criminal case against Zahid Hamidi(current Deputy Prime Minister) that resulted in Zahid being DISCHARGED - meaning no more charges against him.

The reasons given was TIME to consider the matters raised in the many-paged Representations sent by Zahid Hamidi's lawyer and for additional investigations.

Does the prosecution need MORE TIME?

Does AG/PP Ahmad Terrirudin AGREE with AG Idrus Harun? 

In Zahid Hamidi's case, the Prosecution had SUCCESSFULLY proved all the elements of the crime to the satisfaction of the Court - and hence the court called on Zahid Hamidi to enter his DEFENCE - and Zahid himself took the stand as witness, and called more than 10 Defence Witnesses...before the Prosecution decided to discontinue criminal prosecution 'TEMPORARILY'. In another case, prosecution failed to prove Prima Facie case, and Zahid was acquitted without Defence being called.

NOW ZAHID HAMIDI HAD A FAIR TRIAL THUS FAR..

- He was represented by lawyers, who had every opportunity to challenge all Prosecution Witnesses, and also all other evidence tendered in court. 

- During the DEFENCE stage, Zahid can call any witnesses to prove his innocence...He can also RE-CALL Prosecution witnesses if he wants to.

HENCE, there is really no PREJUDICE or DISADVANTAGE as to the right of a FAIR TRIAL.  

In Malaysia, as is the case in most Commonwealth countries and other countries, the GUILT or 'not guilty" decision is left to the Court and Judges - and no one else. A not guilty verdict does not mean innocent - only that the Prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, and it ensures that individuals are not convicted unless their guilt has been proven beyond any possible question.,  which is a very HIGH STANDARD of Proof - maybe about 99% or more that he/she is guilty, so even if the prosecution managed to prove 80% or 90%, it is may simply not be enough for the accused to be convicted. The high burden is to prevent miscarriage of justice - It is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer. as expressed by the English jurist William Blackstone. 

The discontinuation of the criminal trial/proceedings was done by the PREVIOUS Attorney General/Public Prosecutor Idrus Harun before he ended his term(But wasn't his term supposed to end in March 2023???)

Now, Malaysia has a NEW Attorney General/Public Prosecutor Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh - does he agree with the decision of the previous AG/Public Prosecutor or not, and he really ought to tell us all in Malaysia and also whether the Prosecution needs more time or not. Or should he charge Zahid Hamidi again - so trial continues where it ended...using section 254A of the Criminal Procedure Code.

254A  Reinstatement of trial after discharge (Criminal Procedure Code) 

(1) Subject to subsection (2), where an accused has been given a discharge by the Court and he is recharged for the same offence, his trial shall be reinstated and be continued as if there had been no such order given.

(2) Subsection (1) shall only apply where witnesses have been called to give evidence at the trial before the order for a discharge has been given by the Court.

Oddly, the then LEAD PROSECUTOR of Zahid's case was removed(or left on her own) before the decision was made to DISCONTINUE criminal proceedings. It is very very ODD as normally, being the most familiar with the case, he/she would have endured on until the very end - at least until the age of retirement. Even after retirement, she could still continue as the LEAD PROSECUTOR - so what happened? Did she leave in 'protest' because she could not agree with the then AG/PP's decision to suddenly halt and discontinue the criminal trial?

On Aug 8, the New Straits Times confirmed that Raja Rozela, 58, had been -year-old was dropped from the Yayasan Akalbudi trial.

If DPP Raja Rozela Raja Toran continues to prosecute, Zahid Hamidi will likely be convicted and sentenced? Come back and prosecute to the end..

But alas, Raja Rozela may not be able to return and lead the prosecution as she was appointed a Judicial Commissioner on 8/12/2023. A contract 'judge' with no security of tenure, who may or may not be later elevated to Judge (something which the PM has a big say). I have been calling for the ABOLITION OF JUDICIAL COMMISSIONERS - they should immediately be appointed as JUDGES with all the safeguards including security of tenure to ensure Independence.

The lead prosecutor who had been dropped from Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's corruption trial was appointed as a judicial commissioner.

Was the appointment of Raja Rozela a 'calculated move' - the removal of the LEAD prosecutor who had handled the case from the very begining...? Now, she cannot even be brought back to lead the prosecution...

 

We recall that the past '...Attorney-General Apandi Ali had cleared Prime Minister Najib Razak of any offences pertaining to the RM2.6 billion “donation” and the RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd...'. However, the subsequent Attorney General Tommy Thomas disagreed with his predecessor, and Najib was charged - and now is in prison after losing all appeals(and other applications). 

Hence, AG Appandi Ali WAS WRONG, and AG Tommy Thomas was right... 

So, should NEW AG/PP review what his predecessor did with Zahid Hamidi's case? Does he agree with the decision of his predecessor or not? 

Another earlier AG/PP that was affected by the 1MDB case was Abdul Gani Patail who was handed his termination letter in the wake of the 1Malaysia Dvelopment Bhd (1MDB) scandal in 2015. Allegedly, he was then taking steps to charge people in court with regard the 1MDB case. Najib was still Prime Minister then.

Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh has been appointed to be Malaysia's next attorney general from September 6...Terrirudin will replace Tan Sri Idrus Harun whose contract ends on September 5.

Note that on 4th September, The prosecution on Monday decided to withdraw all 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, graft, and money laundering faced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, after applying to discharge all the charges.

'At the start of the trial on Monday, deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar told the judge that he had instructions from Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun to discontinue the charges against Zahid.

Mohd Dusuki told the judge that the case should be classified as DNAA as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is still investigating the charges, after Zahid had sent letters of representation to both the AG and the MACC earlier this year.

Why should the PP/AG still recharge Zahid Hamidi and let the trial continue? 

At the end of the day, it is the court that decides whether any accused is GUILTY or not... so TRUST the Judge and the COURTS. Let the court consider all evidence, including the one's contained in Zahid's letters of representation - and at the end of the trial, let the Judge decide whether Zahid is GUILTY or NOT.

In Zahid's case, NOTE that the prosecution had already successfully proved a PRIMA FACIE case against Zahid - meaning that if Zahid now fails to raise a 'reasonable doubt' he will 100% be convicted and sentenced according to law.

It is not for the AG/Public Prosecutor to decide whether one is GUILTY or Not. It is not for the police or even the Prime Minister.It is for the COURT to decide after a FAIR TRIAL - so recharge Zahid, and let the Court decide...

By discontinuing the criminal case mid-stream, the Court is unable to do what it is supposed to do, i.e decide on the GUILT of Zahid Hamidi. So, charge him again and let the TRIAL continue until the end...

TRUE, PM Anwar Ibrahim or the current PH led coalition government, where BN/UMNO is a key partner that allowed PH to get the needed numbers for Anwar to be PH, may not have been involved in the decision made by AG/PP Idrus Harun ---- BUT, public perception is another matter... given the following factors:-

1) The lead Prosecutor was suddenly removed - she did not retire. WHY?

2) Then the Public Prosecutor/Attorney General Idrus Harun, on the day before he ends his term DISCONTINUES the case against Zahid. [Note Najib's alleged pardon also came day/s before the King ended his term]

No one could even directly question the AG/PP IDRUS HARUN as he was no longer the AG/PP of Malaysia. 

Remember that Idrus Harun was first given a 1-year contract, and then a 2nd 6 month contract.

The Malaysian government today announced that Tan Sri Idrus Harun has been reappointed as the attorney general (AG), and that he would be serving one year under the latest appointment....Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali made the announcement today.

“It is notified that in line with Article 145(1) of the Federal Constitution, Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong has assented to the reappointment of Y Bhg. Tan Sri Idrus bin Harun as attorney general for a period of one (1) year with effect from March 6, 2022,” Mohd Zuki said in a brief one-paragraph statement today.

And then, another 6 month extension

Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun has been re-appointed as the country's top law officer for a period of six months...."His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has approved the re-appointment of Tan Sri Idrus Harun as Attorney General for a period of six months effective from March 6,"

 After he ended his term on 5 September, he was appointed as Chairman of a GLC.

Former attorney general Tan Sri ldrus Harun has been appointed as the new chairman of Amanah Raya Bhd (AmanahRaya) effective from Oct 10. - and is this not under the Finance Ministry, where the Finance Minister is Anwar Ibrahim.

It looks 'like a thank you' gift from Anwar - for what? For discontinuing his Deputy PM's criminal trial? That is what it may look like to some members of the public, and this is not good at all...It may not be, but maybe Anwar ought to clarify...

REFORM NEEDED - No retiring AG/PP, Judges,and Senior Public Servants can be appointed to any company or government position immediately after retirement maybe for a 'cooling off period' of at least 3 years. Maybe, we need a specific law that governs post-retirement or after serving out their contractual term as AG/PP or senior public officials. The law should prohibit disclosure of 'insider confidential information' to new employer or others. The law should prohibit direct dealings with Public Prosecutors(in the case of a retiring AG/PP or senior prosecution staff) for the new employer > a senior still have a lot of 'infleunce' with their juniors still in public service... WE SHOULD REALLY THINK OF THIS? After all, these persons still enjoy large pensions ..

REFORM NEEDED :- The Public Prosecutor must be provided with safeguards to maintain their independence, including SECURITY OF TENURE. The practice of extending their tenure post-retirement via contracts must stop - as there are sufficient capable Malaysians who can be appointed as the NEW Public Prosecutor(and/or AG). 

- Note Gani Patail was prematurely removed from office

- Idrus Harun, after he retired was given a 1 year contract, then a 6 month contract > such practice is BAD as the Public Prosecutor/AG may end up being 'government friendly' rather than being truly INDEPENDENT, as his hopes that he will be given another contract extension...may impact his/her independence. Best, when they reach retirement age, they RETIRE and a NEW PP/AG is appointed. The possibility of extension of tenure undermines security of tenure as a safeguard to ensure Independence - especially independence from the State and the appointing authority.

Waiting for Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah to RETIRE so that they can get a new Judge to hear Zahid Hamidi's Case. This is not right, as the same judge who heard Zahid Hamidi's from start, who also after prosecution decided that the prosecution had proven a prima facie case and ordered Zahid Hamidi to present the Defence case, must be the JUDGE who hears the case until the very end - and decide whether Zahid is GUILTY or Note.

Even if Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah decides at the end of trial that Zahid is guilty, convicts and sentence him - Zahid has still the right to appeal to the Court of Appeal or even later to the Federal Court, and the Appeal Courts may disagree with the trial judge.

A judge decides not only on the evidence submitted, but he also asses the witnesses when they testify(deciding on the amount of weight that ought to be given to any particular witness). If another judge takes over Zahid's criminal case, all he has is the Notes of Evidence - and he may not be able to determine the credibility of the witnesses just by reading notes of proceedings. BEST, in the interest of JUSTICE that it is the SAME judge that hears and determines, especially criminal trials from begining to end.

There are JUDGES and judges, and some have been found wanting by the public like the now infamouse Judge Augustine Paul... 

HOPE that the PP/Judge is not delaying on using the power to re-CHARGE Zahid so the trial can continue from where it ended until Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah RETIRES? 

SELECTIVE NON-PROSECUTION is a serious issue... 




 

 


Najib cleared by AG on RM2.6b and RM42m from SRC Int’l

Apandi Ali says he has thoroughly studied papers submitted to him by MACC and finds there are no criminal elements involved, and orders the cases closed.

PETALING JAYA: Attorney-General Apandi Ali has cleared Prime Minister Najib Razak of any offences pertaining to the RM2.6 billion “donation” and the RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.

In a hurriedly gathered press conference, Apandi announced that he had thoroughly studied the papers submitted to him by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and ordered the cases closed.

“I am satisfied that based on the evidence from witnesses and supporting documents submitted to me by the MACC, it shows that the sum of USD681 million (RM2.08 billion) transferred into the personal accounts of the PM between 22.03.2013 and 10.04.2013 is a personal donation to the PM by the Saudi Royal family.

“Evidence obtained from the investigation does not show that the donation was given as an inducement or reward for doing anything in relation to his (Najib’s) capacity as PM,” he said.

Apandi said the fact that the MACC had met and recorded statements from witnesses, including the donor, also confirmed that the donation was given personally and not given as a form of gratification, or given corruptly.

Apandi also said that Najib had on August 2013 returned a sum of USD620 million (RM2.03billion) back to the Saudi royal family as the sum was not utilised.

The AG also cleared Najib on the charge of receiving RM42 million from SRC International, saying there was “no evidence to show that the PM had abused his position during the cabinet meeting which approved the government guarantee on the RM4 billion loan to SRC from Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (KWAP)”.

“Evidence also shows that the loan approved by KWAP and the loan guarantee by the cabinet was properly done [and there is] no evidence to show the PM had solicited or was promised any gratification from any party, either before, during, or after the cabinet decision was made,” he said.

He summarized that MACC’s investigation did not show that the PM had committed any act of corruption.

Thus, he said there was no necessity for Malaysia to make a request for mutual legal assistance to any foreign state for the purpose of completing the criminal investigation by the MACC.

It was previously reported that Apandi had sent the investigation papers on both cases back to the MACC, requesting additional information on suggestions and recommendations made by them.

The RM2.6 billion came to light following a report by the Wall Street Journal that alleged the sum was channeled into Najib’s personal bank accounts just before the general election of 2013.

The report also claimed the money had come from 1Malaysia Development Bhd although the MACC, after investigating the matter, denied this.

Najib later revealed that the money was a political donation given to him by “someone from the Middle East” to help him and Barisan Nasional win in the 13th General Election.

It was also alleged that Najib had received RM42 million from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB before it was placed under the Finance Ministry in 2012.

The Finance Minister, however, denied the sum was banked into his account.

Earlier this month, former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad predicted Apandi would ignore the MACC’s report on the donation and SRC International and that nothing significant would come out of the investigations. - FMT, 26/1/2016

Prosecution withdraws all 47 charges against Zahid after four-year trial
04 Sep 2023, 11:26 amUpdated - 01:44 pm
main news image
“The reasons given by the learned DPP, including that of the setting up of the RCI [...] does not in any manner suggest that as far as the charges involved in this case [is concerned], that this is the end of the matter.” — High Court Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 4): The prosecution on Monday decided to withdraw all 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, graft, and money laundering faced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, after applying to discharge all the charges.

The High Court judge in the Yayasan Akalbudi trial, Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, upheld the prosecution’s application for a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) for Zahid, as opposed to the defence’s request for a full acquittal.

A DNAA means an accused person can face trial for the same charges in the future, if the prosecution decides to reinstate them.

The decision ended a trial which had spanned three years and ten months involving 99 witnesses, and which had established a prima facie case with Zahid having entered his defence.

At the start of the trial on Monday, deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar told the judge that he had instructions from Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun to discontinue the charges against Zahid.

Mohd Dusuki told the judge that the case should be classified as DNAA as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is still investigating the charges, after Zahid had sent letters of representation to both the AG and the MACC earlier this year.

However, Zahid’s lawyer Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik had asked the judge to consider a full acquittal instead, as the prosecution did not give a timeline to complete its investigations.

Sequerah asked the court to stand down while he deliberated on the matter and came back a few moments later to quash the defence's application and uphold the DNAA sought by the prosecution.

In reading out his decision, Sequerah said the prosecution had intimated that while it has sought a DNAA, investigations against Zahid are still ongoing.

“It is clear from the reasons given by prosecution that investigations are still ongoing as a result of representations made by the defence. However, it must be borne in mind that it was intimated to the court on a previous occasion, when an adjournment was sought for by the defence, that these representations took up several pages, I think it ran into hundreds of pages, if memory serves me correctly,” the judge said.

“It is therefore justified that the prosecution needs more time to examine these representations, which also involves taking statements from various individuals,” Sequerah added.

Sequerah also said the prosecution had asked for the DNAA based on a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on former AG Tan Sri Tommy Thomas’ controversial memoir. According to the prosecution, there is a need to investigate Thomas’ memoir, which is relevant to Zahid’s charges.

The judge said that just because the DNAA is granted, this does not mean that it is the end of the matter.

“The reasons given by the learned DPP, including that of the setting up of the RCI although they do not have a timeline, does not in any manner suggest that as far as the charges involved in this case [is concerned], that this is the end of the matter,” he said.

Sequerah further said the trial commenced on Nov 18, 2019 and to date, some 77 days of trial has elapsed. He also added the case was at the defence stage with Zahid’s 15th witness giving evidence.

“The prosecution have in my considered view, given considered reasons why they seek a DNAA in this case,” Sequerah said before granting the DNAA.

Zahid, who is Bagan Datuk Member of Parliament, was ordered by Sequerah to enter his defence in respect of all 47 corruption charges in relation to Yayasan Akalbudi last year.

Twelve of them are criminal breach of trust charges, followed by eight for graft, and 27 for money laundering.

In October last year, Zahid was acquitted of a separate set of 40 graft charges in relation with an award of a contract for a foreign visa system (VLN) and one-stop services (OSC) in China when he was home minister.

At the time, the High Court judge Datuk Mohd Yazid Mustafa found that the prosecution had not made out a prima facie case as it had failed to prove the element of graft.

Zahid has since sent letters of representation to the Attorney General’s Chambers with regard to the prosecution’s appeal over the VLN case. - The Edge, 4/9/2023

 

Raja Rozela appointed as judicial commissioner

PUTRAJAYA: The lead prosecutor who had been dropped from Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's corruption trial was appointed as a judicial commissioner.

Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran was among nine judicial commissioners who received their letters of appointment from Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat today.

The other eight are – Arziah Mohamed Apandi, the daughter of former attorney-general Tan Sri Apandi Ali, Datuk Hazizah Kassim, Kan Weng Hin, Rosli Yusoff, Gan Techiong, Suriyati Hasimah Mohd Hashim, Maslinda @ Linda Mohd Ainal, and Saiful Azian Mokhtar.

Raja Rozela had been the lead prosecutor for two of Zahid's trials involving the misappropriation of funds belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB) and the 40 charges of corruption in connection with the Foreign Visa System (VLN).

On Aug 8, the New Straits Times confirmed that Raja Rozela, 58, had been -year-old was dropped from the Yayasan Akalbudi trial.

Attorney-General's Chamber appellate and trial division head Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar had been chosen to replace Raja Rozela as the lead prosecutor before the case was granted discharged not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) by the High Court in September.

This was after the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) decided to stop the case based on various new evidence raised by the defence in their representation letters.

This was after the High Court granted the deputy prime minister a discharge not amounting to acquittal of 12 criminal breach of trust (CBT) charges, eight counts of bribery and 27 for money laundering, involving scores of millions of ringgit belonging to YAB. - NST, 8/12/2023

Ali Hamsa reveals how Gani Patail was issued termination letter

KUALA LUMPUR: A former top civil servant in the country today revealed how former Attorney General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail was handed his termination letter in the wake of the 1Malaysia Dvelopment Bhd (1MDB) scandal in 2015.

Tan Sri Ali Hamsa, who was the chief secretary to the government from 2012 to 2018, said he was the one who personally handed the letter to Gani while the latter was at a meeting.

Ali touched on the subject when he was questioned by lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram in Datuk Seri Najib Razak's ongoing trial involving the tampering of the 1MDB audit report.

Najib and co-accused Arul Kanda Kandasamy - who is former 1MDB chief executive, listened closely from the dock as Sri Ram asked the 64-year old witness to explain how Gani was given his termination letter.

Sri Ram: Did you play any role in the removal of the former Attorney General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail?

Ali: I was asked to issue a cover letter and handed this personally to Gani Patail

Sri Ram: What did you tell him when you gave him the letter?

Ali: I just gave him the letter. He opened it in front of me and read it. After that I left.

Earlier, Ali, who is the fourth prosecution witness, said he had served under four prime ministers namely Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and again under Dr Mahathir during his stint in the government.

He was called to the stand again today to be cross-examined by Najib's lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah before he was re-examined by Sri Ram.

The cross-examination before High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan will continue tomorrow.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak arrives at the court ahead of the hearing. - NSTP/FATHIL ASRI.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak arrives at the court ahead of the hearing. - NSTP/FATHIL ASRI.

Ali had previously testified that Gani was forced to leave office after Najib lost trust in him.

He testified that this happened at a time when then deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had started kicking up a storm about 1MDB in Cabinet meetings and had also met Gani.

He also revealed that the letter of Gani's removal was drafted by his assistant in Najib's presence before the latter took it to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to be signed.

It was reported that Gani was subsequently replaced as AG and the government had then cited the latter's ill health behind his removal.

His successor Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali later cleared Najib of any criminal wrongdoing involving 1MDB matters.

Najib, 67, is now accused of using his position to order amendments to the 1MDB final audit report that had already been finalised by the Auditor General before it was tweaked again and presented to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

He is accused of committing the offence between Feb 22 and 26, 2016, at the Prime Minister's Department in Putrajaya.

Arul Kanda, 44, is accused of abetting Najib in making amendments to the report, at the same place and time.

Both face up to 20 years jail and fine, if convicted. - NST, 24/8/2020

 

Idrus Harun reappointed as AG, to serve one more year

Tan Sri Idrus Harun has been reappointed as the attorney general (AG) and would be serving one year under the latest appointment. ― Picture by Azinuddin Ghazali

KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 — The Malaysian government today announced that Tan Sri Idrus Harun has been reappointed as the attorney general (AG), and that he would be serving one year under the latest appointment.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali made the announcement today.

“It is notified that in line with Article 145(1) of the Federal Constitution, Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong has assented to the reappointment of Y Bhg. Tan Sri Idrus bin Harun as attorney general for a period of one (1) year with effect from March 6, 2022,” Mohd Zuki said in a brief one-paragraph statement today.

Under Article 145(1), the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall, on the advice of the prime minister, appoint a person — who is qualified to be a Federal Court judge — to be the attorney general.

Today’s announcement came after Idrus’s two-year term as attorney general was to officially end on Sunday (March 6). 

Idrus, now aged 67, was first appointed on March 6, 2020 to be attorney general for a two-year term. Idrus replaced Tan Sri Tommy Thomas who had resigned from the position in late February 2020.

Immediately before becoming the attorney general in March 2020, Idrus was serving as a Federal Court judge.

Throughout his 42-year career, the Kedah-born Idrus — who is also a law graduate from Universiti Malaya — had served in multiple positions such as in the Attorney General’s Chambers’ (AGC) division which is tasked with drafting laws, being the head of the Federal Territory Prosecution Unit, and being a deputy public prosecutor with the AGC.

Idrus had also in the past served as senior federal counsel to both the Election Commission and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) predecessor Anti-Corruption Agency, and also as the solicitor general — the second-highest ranked AGC official after the attorney general — from 2006 to 2014.

He then served as a Court of Appeal judge for about four years, and as Federal Court judge from November 2018 until his March 2020 appointment as attorney general.

Idrus is also the older brother of Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun.

Previously, on March 6, which was when Idrus’s term would have ended, news portal Free Malaysia Today (FMT) had reported Malaysian Bar president AG Kalidas as questioning the seeming delay in making an announcement over whether there has been an extension of Idrus’s term as attorney general.  

“It would be prudent if the prime minister does not wait until the eleventh hour to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and announce the appointment in the event of vacancy or the extension of the current appointment,” Kalidas was quoted as telling FMT. - Malay Mail, 8/3/2022


Idrus Harun reappointed as AG for six months

KUALA LUMPUR: Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun has been re-appointed as the country's top law officer for a period of six months.

In a statement today, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has approved the reappointment in accordance with Clause (1) Article 145 of the Federal Constitution.

"His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has approved the re-appointment of Tan Sri Idrus Harun as Attorney General for a period of six months effective from March 6," the statement read.- NST, 3/3/2023





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