PUTRAJAYA: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has been directed to hold further discussions with the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on the proposed constitutional amendments to separate the roles of the Attorney-General (A-G) and Public Prosecutor (PP).
Government spokesman Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim issued the directive following several matters raised by the Malay Rulers during the Conference of Rulers on the proposed amendments.
"The prime minister has directed Azalina to hold engagement sessions and discussions with the Parliamentary Special Select Committee, which prepared the draft constitutional amendments.
"Any further amendments or improvements must then be communicated to the Conference of Rulers," he said at a post-cabinet press conference here today.
Fahmi said the cabinet was also briefed on the Parliamentary Service Council, which has assumed full responsibility for Parliament, with the executive no longer having jurisdiction over the institution.
He said the move fulfilled a reform pledge and marked a significant step towards strengthening democracy in the country.
"During this transition period, several matters need to be examined, and the cabinet will continue to provide assistance if any issues need to be addressed.
"However, jurisdiction over Parliament, the Dewan Rakyat and the Dewan Negara now rests entirely with the Parliamentary Service Council," he said.
Fahmi said Anwar had also briefed the cabinet on his audience with the Malay Rulers during the Conference of Rulers on the proposed constitutional amendment to limit the Prime Minister's term of office.
He said the proposed term limit and the separation of the Attorney-General's and Public Prosecutor's roles were two major institutional reform initiatives, although some details still needed to be refined.
The Parliamentary Service Act 2025 and related amendments to the Federal Constitution took effect on Oct 1.
Azalina was previously reported as saying that the Bills to limit a prime minister's tenure to 10 years and separate the powers of the AG and PP had been completed.
She said the Bills could be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat at any time.
The Bill to limit the prime minister's tenure to 10 years had previously failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
It received 146 votes in favour, while 44 MPs abstained and 32 were absent.
Meanwhile, the Bill to separate the roles of the Attorney-General and Public Prosecutor was referred to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee for further scrutiny.
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