Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali has begun his 30-day unrecorded leave from today.

“I am on a 30-day unrecorded leave. So physically I will not be in my office today,” said Apandi in a short message, while maintaining that he is still the attorney-general serving at the pleasure of the King.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Apandi had been asked to go on leave and solicitor-general, Engku Nor Faizah Engku Atek would stand in for him with immediate effect.

Media representatives have been waiting at the Attorney-General’s Chambers in Presint 4 in Putrajaya since 8am today to meet Apandi if he shows up at the office.

“Don’t waste your precious time at the Attorney-General’s Chambers. My salam and regards to my media friends out there. Will be seeing all of you on some other occasions. Insya Allah. Thank you all,” said Apandi in a message as he was aware of media presence at the building.

Apandi had turned up for work, as usual, yesterday, despite Mahathir’s remark last Saturday in a press conference, that “there is no AG in the country now”.

-- Bernama