The appointment of the attorney-general (AG) is on the advice of the prime minister and he should appoint one of his own to facilitate the government affairs, said Pengerang MP Azalina Othman Said.
Speaking at a special Umno briefing at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur today, she said anyone who becomes the prime minister needs to appoint from “his people” to make matters easier.
“If the power to change the AG is in the hands of the prime minister, why didn’t he change the AG when this is under his jurisdiction?
“I just want to ask this, why can’t the AG be changed?” she said to loud cheers from the audience.
While Azalina stopped short of naming Idrus Harun, Umno grassroots shouted, “PM should change AG”.
She said due to the immense power held by the AG, it would only make sense for a prime minister to choose those from his circle to take on the position.
“In any country, whoever becomes the prime minister will choose his own people to become the A-G.
“I’ve been an Umno division leader for more than 20 years. Of course, the division secretary is my own man, and so is the information chief because I appoint them.”
She said in any democratic country, the appointment of the A-G would be in accordance with the voice of the leadership.
Azalina also questioned the recent Federal Court’s decision to reject Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s bid to postpone the proceedings after changing his team of lawyers to represent him.
“Why can’t we change lawyers? If he is guilty, even if he changes his lawyers 10 times, he will still be guilty.
“So, what can we do now? We must fight. If you are brave enough, let’s fight today,” she told the audience who responded in loud cheers and applause.
Azalina said the recent sentencing of Najib would not be the last among Umno leaders.
In October last year, Azalina was appointed the special adviser to the Prime Minister on law and human rights.
The special briefing today was held in solidarity with former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak who is serving 12 years in Kajang Prison in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case.
Prior to this, several Umno leaders accused Ismail Sabri of not paying serious attention to Najib’s case. In fact, a few sources claimed that some in the party urged Ismail Sabri to replace Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and the AG.
Tengku Maimun was appointed as chief justice during the Pakatan Harapan era, while Idrus appointed to the job by Perikatan Nasional administration led by Muhyiddin Yassin.
Tengku Maimun was the head of a five-member panel presiding over Najib’s final appeal.
Today’s gathering has seen several Umno leaders and lawyers speak on Najib’s jailing.
Earlier, Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan called for justice for Najib to cheers from the crowd.