Bersih said the selection process for key public officials such as the AG should go through a special select committee in Parliament.

“This would have allowed for a more inclusive and transparent process and enable input from civil society organisations,” it said in a statement.

Dusuki, previously the head of the trial and appellate division at the Attorney-General’s Chambers, was appointed as the new AG yesterday, replacing Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh, who has been appointed a Federal Court judge.

In August, FMT named Dusuki as one of several senior officers from the judicial and legal services who were front-runners to replace Terrirudin.

Bersih also said the AG’s appointment would not have been a contentious issue had the government separated the powers of the AG and the public prosecutor.

“In fact, (with the separation) the AG could be appointed from among MPs in the Cabinet, allowing for participation in Cabinet meetings and the direct provision of legal advice,” it said.

Last month, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said the government would not be pressured into moving too quickly to separate the roles of the AG and public prosecutor.

The AG currently serves as both the government’s chief legal adviser and the head of public prosecution.

This dual role has raised questions about fairness and has been a point of contention for Pakatan Harapan in past elections.

Azalina told the Dewan Rakyat that while the government was committed to reforms, such a major change must be carefully studied first, with an ongoing preliminary study expected to be completed by next year.