Public prosecutor has right to initiate and discontinue criminal charges - AG

PUTRAJAYA - Attorney-General (AG) Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh said the Public Prosecutor is not bound to furnish any reason to any party on its decision to discontinue charges against an accused person.

He said a Public Prosecutor has the right to initiate and discontinue criminal charges under Article 145 of the Federal Constitution.

"The role of the AG as the Public Prosecutor is well established and protected under Article 145 of the Federal Constitution.

"The prosecutorial discretion of initiating and discontinuing criminal charges is the exercise of lawful discretion by the Public Prosecutor after a careful scrutiny of all the evidence presented by the investigation bodies and also taking into consideration the requirements of the penal laws and procedure," he said when delivering his speech at the Opening of the Legal Year 2024 at Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here today.

Ahmad Terrirudin said the Public Prosecutor must be permitted to discharge its duties well within the confines of the Federal Constitution and any written laws without unnecessary external interference and all stakeholders must understand and respect the prerogatives of the Public Prosecutor and must act fairly towards all parties without being selective towards certain matters.

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- BERNAMA