Masri Daud to lead AGC’s prosecution division

PETALING JAYA: Masri Daud has been appointed to lead the prosecution division, a key unit that represents the front line of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).

He succeeds Manoj Kurup who retired in April.

Sources said his appointment came into effect on June 15 after it received the sanction of Attorney-General (AG) Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh.

Masri had performed the duties and functions relating to the position over the last two months following Manoj’s retirement.

The prosecution division is constantly in the public spotlight as it exercises the prosecutorial powers vested in the AG on his behalf.

Deputy public prosecutors from the division conduct prosecutions in all courts across the country, including for high-profile criminal cases involving the death penalty and long custodial sentences.

The division also gives advice and instruction to all enforcement agencies in relation to investigations and criminal prosecutions.

Deputy public prosecutors also peruse investigation papers to determine whether to institute prosecutions, and deal with representations from lawyers asking for charges brought against their clients to be dropped or reduced.

Meanwhile, Rafidah Omar has stepped in as head of the advisory AGC’s division effective June 27.

Rafidah, a former treasury solicitor, replaces Normazli Abdul Rahim who went on mandatory retirement.

Other appointments pending

The AGC, widely known as “the legal firm that represents the government and the public”, is also expected to see major appointments in the coming months, mostly due to retirements.

On June 6, FMT, quoting sources, reported that Terrirudin might be appointed a Federal Court judge and chief judge of Malaya, as he satisfies the constitutional requirements of the position.

Article 145 of the Federal Constitution states that the person appointed as AG must be qualified to be a judge of the Federal Court.

Under Article 123, a person qualifies as a Federal Court judge if he is a citizen, and if for the 10 years preceding his appointment he has been a practising lawyer or a member of the judicial and legal services.

Solicitor-general Almalena Sharmila Johan will also go on mandatory retirement in August, with her position likely to be filled by solicitor-general II Suzana Atan.

“One of the current division heads could fill Suzana’s position,” the source added.

Parliamentary draftsman Rozita Ramli will retire in November, followed in December by Tay Lee Ly, the current commissioner for law reform.