KUALA LUMPUR — The proposed constitutional amendments in Malaysia aim to remove political influence from the appointment of the Public Prosecutor, according to Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar.

The Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026 separates the roles of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor and does not grant the Prime Minister any role in the selection process. The Public Prosecutor will instead be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, with the consent of the Conference of Rulers, for a fixed term of seven years.

Mohd Dusuki said the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (SPKP) would nominate candidates for the position. He emphasized the intent behind the change: to prevent political interference and ensure the Public Prosecutor remains impartial in carrying out their duties.

“We are concerned that the Public Prosecutor could be influenced by parties involved in determining the appointment if the process includes elected representatives or politicians,” he said during a ministerial briefing at Parliament on Monday (Feb 23).

Under the new framework, the Public Prosecutor must not be a Member of Parliament or State Assembly and must have at least 10 years of litigation experience. The appointment process is designed to insulate the role from political pressures.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said attended the briefing, alongside members of both Houses of Parliament.

Azalina said the Public Prosecutor’s seven-year term is not automatic. The individual must apply to the SPKP for reappointment or extension, which allows the commission to reassess performance before any renewal is granted.

“The Public Prosecutor is also not obliged to answer to Parliament, as the position is not a political appointment but functions as an independent office,” she added.