Ramkarpal Singh, incoming MP for Bukit Gelugor, Penang, said today that “Apandi must go” and his contract should be terminated immediately as his continuing presence would be an impediment to the government’s reform efforts.
The prime minister should not wait a day longer, Ramkarpal said.
His remarks come as political observers speculated that Dr Mahathir had already submitted the name of a prospective new Attorney-General to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, whose consent is needed for the appointment.
Ramkarpal said a new Attorney-General would be able to decide if Apandi would be needed as a witness into the 1MDB investigations. “If so, if he should be summoned to provide a statement.”
He said Apandi’s failure to resign despite pressure on him to do so showed that he had become a liability. “It is necessary to remove him so as to ensure the smooth running of the new administration,” he said.
Others who have urged Apandi to resign have included DAP leader Lim Kit Siang.
Ramkarpal pointed out that the Attorney-General was the chief legal adviser to the government and was needed to provide counsel to the government on crucial matters such as 1MDB.
Apandi might be in conflict with the current investigations into the 1MDB, having led a past investigation and having cleared former prime minister Najib Razak of any wrongdoing.
Apandi’s contract was renewed for a three-year term shortly before the general election. He has been embroiled in a series of controversies from the day he replaced Abdul Gani Patail on July 27, 2015.
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