Newly appointed Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali said the removal of his predecessor Abdul Gani Patail had been carried out in accordance with the Federal Constitution.

Mohamed Apandi, in his first official statement as AG, said Article 145(6) does not apply as it is a saving provision which only applies to the attorney-general from 1959 to 1963, which was Cecil M Sheridan.

"In the interest of administration of justice, it is important that the public is not misled into thinking otherwise.

"Under the existing Article 145(5) the attorney-general holds office during the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"Hence the mode of removal referred to in Clause (6) of Article 145 of the Federal Constitution is not applicable to an attorney-general  appointed after Sept 16, 1963,” said Apandi, who is a former Federal Court judge.

Despite referring to Abdul Gani's removal as a form of 'termination', Mohamed Apandi stressed that Abdul Gani was not 'dismissed'.

"In any case, Abdul Gani has neither been dismissed from nor reduced in rank in the Judicial and Legal Service," said Mohamed Apandi.

'Health reasons'

Yesterday, Chief Secretary to the government Ali Hamsa said Abdul Gani will continue to serve as a Judicial and Legal Service officer until his mandatory retirement on Oct 6 this year.

Ali Hamsa had claimed that Abdul Gani was removed due tohealth reasons, but the latter appeared surprised by his removal when he was contacted by the press.

[More to follow]