DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang has put the spotlight on Abdul Gani Patail, asking if the latter was prepared to reveal the circumstances that led to his replacement as attorney-general.
This is amid speculation by veteran newsman A Kadir Jasin, an ally of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, that Abdul Gani was on the verge of filing charges based on the special task force's investigation into 1MDB.
"Only Abdul Gani can answer Kadir's question. Can Malaysians expect a sincere and truthful answer from Abdul Gani.
"Or is Abdul Gani going to take the secret with him into retirement?" asked Lim ( photo ) in a statement today.
The special task force was looking into claims that RM2.6 billion was deposited into the private bank accounts of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Abdul Gani's dismissal came before his retirement which was due in October.
Questions over constituionality
This was announced by chief secretary to the government Ali Hamsa, citing health reasons but Abdul Gani appeared to be in the dark about the matter.
There were also questions over the constitutionality of Abdul Gani's removal.
Some lawyers argued that a tribunal was needed while others claimed the rule only applied to the first attorney-general.
However, Lim took the position that the dismissal is unconstitutional and urged the Bar Council to consider intervening.
"Abdul Gani may now have reasons not to challenge the constitutionality of his sacking as attorney-general, but as a matter of principle, the Bar Council should consider whether such unconstitutional sacking of the attorney-general should be allowed to stand unchallenged," he said.
Meanwhile, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo said the move to arbitrarily remove the attorney-general meant that the special task force on 1MDB was now toothless.
"The larger question arises as to the independence of the attorney-general itself because even if the task force were to recommend charges, it is the attorney-general who has the sole discretion to institute or discontinue criminal proceedings.
"The attorney-general will not be seen to be fully independent nor capable of making decisions without fear or favour if he could be removed from office so easily," said Gobind, who is also DAP legal bureau chief.
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