She said Putrajaya was continuing to gather views from NGOs, the Attorney-General’s Chambers, and political parties ahead of tabling the constitutional amendments.

“We are trying to find a compromise,” she said after an engagement session with NGOs at the Parliament building today.

Those who attended the 1.5-hour closed-door meeting included representatives from Bersih, Projek Sama, the Bar Council, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, Sabah Law Society, Transparency International Malaysia, and Rasuah Busters.

On March 3, the government announced that the bill to separate the dual functions of the attorney-general had been postponed and referred to a newly established parliamentary committee.

Azalina said discussions were currently focussed on how the constitutional framework would separate the two roles, with operational details to be addressed later.

She said a key point raised by NGOs and civil society organisations was the need for greater parliamentary involvement in the appointment process, on the basis that Parliament represents the voice of the people.

Azalina added that political influence in the process remains a concern. “You cannot run away from discussing political party influence when discussing Parliament,” she said.