The last media statement that I received from the late Mr Karpal

Mr karpal’s office always emailed us the statements issued by Mr Karpal. This is the last statement that I received from the late Mr Karpal.

MEDIA STATEMENT

The appointment of Muhammad Shafee Abdullah to act for the Registrar of Societies (ROS) in the civil application filed by the DAP against the ROS, clearly, reflects the Attorney-General, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, has abdicated his functions, particularly so in the wake of the recent appointment of Muhammad Shafee Abdullah to act in the criminal appeal involving Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently in the Court of Appeal.

These appointments do not speak well of the Attorney-General’s Chambers. Is the Attorney-General Chambers so devoid of personnel of caliber to attend to prosecutions and civil proceedings in courts? Must the tax-payer, in addition to be responsible for the salaries and other benefits for those employed in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, also make provision for payment to Muhammad Shafee Abdullah for his services as an advocate and solicitor to the Attorney-General’s Chambers. What is the need for the duplication of these monetary benefits at the expense of the tax-payer?

No doubt, section 24(3) of the Government Proceedings Act, 1956 [attached] provides for the retaining of an advocate and solicitor by the Attorney-General to represent a Federal Officer in civil proceedings in court. However, that provision should only be invoked in exceptional cases where the expertise required in court is not available in the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

The civil proceedings against the ROS do not require any special expertise. Therefore, the appointment of Muhammad Shafee Abdullah at the expense of the tax-payer is unwarranted and an unnecessary burden on the tax-payer and his appointment should, accordingly, be revoked. The earlier it is done, the better for the tax-payer and the national interest.

In the meanwhile, I call upon the Attorney-General to publicly explain why Muhammad Shafee Abdullah was appointed and the state the remuneration agreed to be paid to him.

Dated 10th April, 2014
KARPAL SINGH
Member of Parliament
Bukit Gelugor