Former Malaysian Attorney General Says His Dismissal by Mahathir Government Is Illegal, SE Asia News & Top Stories



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KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR / ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – Former Malaysian Attorney General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali sent a demand letter to the Attorney General’s Office requesting restitution for his dismissal two years ago, which he says. It is illegal.

In the demand letter, which was handled through the Shukor Baljit and Partners law firm, Apandi said that his dismissal was orchestrated and decided by then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

The 70-year-old former Federal Court judge was appointed attorney general in 2015 and re-elected in 2018 during the Najib Razak administration.

Apandi, on January 26, 2016, acquitted the then Prime Minister Najib of any criminal offense or corruption in the case related to the state fund 1MDB.

On Thursday (October 1), he said that he was appointed attorney general on July 27, 2015, with the consent of the King of Malaysia, for a period of three years until July 26, 2018 and that the appointment could only be rescinded upon in accordance with article 145 (5) of the Federal Constitution.

He said that the then Chief Secretary of Government had notified him of his re-election with effect on July 27, 2018, by letter of April 6 of that year, and that he accepted re-election on May 7, 2018.

Tun Dr. Mahathir was sworn in as Malaysia’s prime minister on May 10 of that year, a day after the Pakatan Harapan coalition gained federal power by overthrowing the Najib-led Barisan Nasional government.

Prime Minister Mahathir announced on May 14 that Mr. Apandi had been told to go off leave. In June, Tan Sri Tommy Thomas succeeded Mr. Apandi.

Apandi said that on June 5, 2018, he was notified that the King had given his consent to its termination, but was never provided with any documents proving royal consent.

He said that Dr. Mahathir had “illegally assumed the power of termination.”

Apandi added that the then prime minister abused his position, committed misconduct as a public official and committed misconduct in public function.

As a result, he said he suffered loss and damage, including loss of income, allowances and other benefits from July 27, 2018 to July 26, 2021.

Apandi’s lawyer, Datuk Baljit Singh Sidhu, said the demand letter was sent to the Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday (September 30).

Apandi demands an offer of restitution and unspecified damages within seven days from the date of the letter, otherwise it would initiate legal proceedings.



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