Event

Event

 

Forum on “Separating the Powers of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor: Does the Bill Deliver Independence, Accountability and the Rule of Law?”

20 Apr 2026 - Mon / 1 day / 2:30pm - 5:30pm / Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium
The Malaysian Bar will organise a forum to critically examine the Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026 (“Bill”), which proposes the separation of powers of the Attorney General (“AG”) and the Public Prosecutor (“PP”), a significant constitutional and institutional reform in the Malaysian legal system. The forum will assess whether the Bill, in its current form meaningfully delivers prosecutorial independence, accountability and the rule of law, and to propose amendments that are necessary to ensure this reform is effective.

 

This forum aims to foster informed and open public dialogue on the proposed separation of powers of the AG and the PP, the structural gaps identified in the Bill, and the path forward for amendments that will establish a truly independent prosecutorial institution. This forum will provide a platform for legal practitioners, civil society, academics and members of the public to critically engage with the Bill’s provisions on the appointment and removal of the PP, accountability mechanisms to Parliament, and the role of the AG post-separation. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on the core elements of prosecutorial independence and its impact on every Malaysian. The discussion will explore ways to strengthen the reform, ensuring that prosecutorial decisions are made without fear or favour, remain insulated from executive influence, and serve in the public interest.

 

The objectives of the forum are to: 
  1. enhance public understanding of the Bill and its implications for prosecutorial independence and the rule of law in Malaysia;
  2. identify the structural gaps and propose amendments to the Bill to ensure prosecutorial independence, accountability and transparency in the appointment, removal and oversight of the PP; and
  3. raise public awareness of the importance of this reform and the need for meaningful public participation in the deliberative process before the Bill is retabled in Parliament.
Organisers: Bar Council

CPD Points: 2
Event Code:
T3/20042026/BC/BC264173/2

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Description

The programme is scheduled as below

2.00 pm – Registration

2.30 pm – Opening

2.40 pm – Panel session by

  1. Syed Saddiq, Muar MP and Member of Parliamentary Special Select Committee concerning the Separation of Roles of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor
  2. Melissa Akhir,Commissioner, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) 
  3. Maha Balakrishnan, Co-Chairperson of Bar Council Civil Law and Law Reform Committee; President, National Human Rights Society (HAKAM)
  4. Ngeow Chow Ying, Convener of Projek SAMA
  5. Karen Cheah Yee Lynn, past President of the Malaysian Bar

Moderated by Anishaa Sundramoorthy, Co-Deputy Chairperson, Bar Council Civil Law and Law Reform Committee; Chairperson, Bar Council National Young Lawyers and Pupils Committee

3.40 pm – Break

3.50 pm – Panel session (Continued)

5.20 pm – Question and Answer Session

5.30 pm – End

Speaker

Panelists
  1. Syed Saddiq, Muar MP and Member of Parliamentary Special Select Committee concerning the Separation of Roles of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor
  2. Melissa Akhir, Commissioner, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
  3. Maha Balakrishnan, Co-Chairperson of Bar Council Civil Law and Law Reform Committee; President, National Human Rights Society (HAKAM)
  4. Ngeow Chow Ying, Convener of Projek SAMA
  5. Karen Cheah Yee Lynn, past President of the Malaysian Bar
Moderator:
  1. Anishaa Sundramoorthy, Co-Deputy Chairperson, Bar Council Civil Law and Law Reform Committee; Chairperson, Bar Council National Young Lawyers and Pupils Committee

Terms and Conditions

Event Policy
Admission is free, but advance registration is required.

Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The registration for this session will close on 17 April 2026 (Friday), at 3:00 pm.

The organiser reserves the right to modify, cancel or postpone the event, should circumstances arise that make such action necessary, whereupon all registration fees paid will be refunded.

Cancellation
Cancellations must be made in writing.

Substitutions are allowed. Kindly inform us in writing with the relevant details at least three days in advance. If you have failed to inform the organiser on your cancellation for three consecutive times, you may be blacklisted for future events.

Transferral
You are allowed to transfer your place to another participant, but you must notify the organiser with the necessary details at least three days in advance.

Attendance
CPD points for CPD Scheme will not be awarded to lawyers and pupils in chambers from Peninsular Malaysia who arrive more than 15 minutes late, are not present throughout the event, or leave before its scheduled end.

Privacy
The personal information that you provide to the Malaysian Bar, whether now or in the future, may be used, recorded, stored, disclosed or otherwise processed by or on behalf of the Malaysian Bar for the purposes of facilitation and organisation of this event, research and audit, maintenance of a participant database for the promotion of this event, and such ancillary services as may be relevant.

Disclaimer

  • Materials (if any) will be emailed only. No printed notes will be provided.
  • No recording of the event is permitted via any means at any time.
  • No part of the event content may be used / reproduced in any form without the written and explicit consent of the Malaysian Bar and speaker(s).

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