KUALA LUMPUR – The special select committee (SSC) should be allowed to carry out its duty in separating the role of the public prosecutor from the attorney-general, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi said the parliamentary process is the most suitable outlet to provide solutions to the matter, as it consists of lawmakers from the opposition bloc, as well as both the current and former attorney-generals.
He also requested for opposition MPs to be patient, as prior SSCs have been helpful in numerous implementation processes, including the anti-party hopping law and the Generational Endgame bill.
“It is different than with Dewan Rakyat sessions, where only the MPs discuss the matter,” he said while launching the Cerita Malaysiaku LRT coach in KLCC, today.
“In the parliamentary context, if we want information from any party, then the most accurate process and procedure are as mentioned in Parliament yesterday.
“Let’s leave the matter to the SCC to carry out their duty and responsibility. They will present their report to the Dewan Rakyat, and then we will debate it. That is the most comprehensive (method),” he said.
Fahmi added that the SSC has a precise structure and that it is bipartisan, non-political and detailed.
Yesterday, two special task forces to accelerate the move to separate the roles of the public prosecutor from the attorney-general were revealed: the Comparative Research Special Task Force and the Technical Special Task Force.
It is suggested that the Comparative Research Task Force consist of law minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, as well as representatives of the SSC on basic human rights, general elections and institutional reform; the opposition bloc; the Attorney-General’s Chambers; and the Legal Affairs Division.
Asked whether the unity government will prioritise uniting Malaysians or ending corruption, Fahmi said the two focus points are “not mutually exclusive, and can be done in tandem”.
Referring to the government’s slogan of “Segulai Sejelai” for the upcoming Malaysia Day, Fahmi said it also reflects its intention to create a Madani Malaysia.
“Whether we like it or not, we need unity, and we must eliminate corruption,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fahmi expressed his faith that the Communications and Multimedia Commission will adhere to the law when handling its actions against TV Pertiwi.
The Isma-linked private television station is facing enforcement over six articles deemed to have breached 3R issues – those involving race, religion and royalty.
However, the broadcaster defended its content as “fair comment”, adding that “everyone has the right to express their opinion”. – September 13, 2023