PM must respect AG independence in prosecution decisions, says minister

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said on Monday defended the constitutional separation between the executive and prosecutorial authorities, stating that the prime minister is not a prosecutor and should not be expected to direct legal proceedings.

Her remarks came after DAP parliamentarian Wong Chen urged the prime minister to ensure that Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi faces renewed charges in connection with the Yayasan Akalbudi case. The foundation matter has been a subject of legal proceedings for several years.

Azalina emphasised that the Attorney General's discretion in prosecution matters must be respected and protected, arguing that such independence is fundamental to the rule of law. She stressed that political pressure on prosecutorial decisions could undermine the integrity of the judicial system.

The debate reflects ongoing tensions in Malaysia over the handling of high-profile cases involving senior government figures, with opposition lawmakers arguing for stricter accountability while government officials maintain that legal proceedings must follow proper constitutional channels without political interference.

Zahid Hamidi, who also serves as Home Minister, has previously faced legal challenges, though certain charges were withdrawn in recent years following various court proceedings and legal reviews.