What does Syed Saddiq mean by finding a “middle ground” on the panel?

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Syed Saddiq Advocates for a Compromise on the Public Prosecutor Selection Panel

Syed Saddiq, the Member of Parliament for Muar, advocates for a "middle ground" in the proposed reform to split the roles of the Attorney General (AG) and Public Prosecutor (PP), specifically concerning the composition of the panel responsible for selecting the PP. This approach aims to achieve a significant improvement, even if the ideal scenario of full separation and robust safeguards cannot be immediately realized, recognizing the constitutional hurdles that require two-thirds parliamentary support.
Enhancing the PP Selection Panel

The core of Syed Saddiq's proposal for a "middle ground" revolves around enhancing the proposed panel that would select the Public Prosecutor. He suggests that a substantial improvement, estimated at 50 to 60 percent, would be a considerable achievement. This would involve broadening the panel's representation to include voices beyond the executive branch. Specifically, he envisions the inclusion of representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the Bar Council, and delegates from Sabah and Sarawak, in addition to more judiciary representatives.
A Pragmatic Approach to Reform

Syed Saddiq's stance reflects a pragmatic approach to legal reform, acknowledging that achieving the most ideal situation might be obstructed by the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat. He posits that even an incremental improvement, such as modifying the selection panel, would represent a significant step forward. This contrasts with scenarios where the Prime Minister retains full control over the appointment or delegates it to another authority, which he considers a far less desirable outcome.
Urgency for Legislative Action

There is a sense of urgency conveyed by Syed Saddiq regarding the passage of this reform. He expressed a hope that the Bill could be passed before the 16th general election (GE16). The rationale behind this timeline is that if the reform does not materialize soon, the political will and the opportunity to address this divisive issue might be lost for at least another five years, potentially delaying meaningful changes to the AG-PP roles.

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What does Syed Saddiq mean by finding a “middle ground” on the panel?

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