Mohamed Apandi is new Attorney General, Gani Patail reacts

The service of Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail as the Attorney-General (A-G) has been terminated effective July 27 due to health reasons, according to Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

Ali said in a statement today that former Federal Court judge Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali has been appointed as the new A-G, also effective yesterday.

Ali said Abdul Gani would continue to serve as Judicial and Legal Service Officer until his mandatory retirement on Oct 6 this year.

"Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail has contributed tremendously to the country as the attorney-general. On behalf of the government, I wish to record my deepest appreciation and thanks for the service he has rendered and hope he will always be blessed with good health," he said.

Ali said the appointment of Mohamed Apandi was made in accordance with Article 145(1) of the Federal Constitution and it had received the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, upon the advice of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Mohamed Apandi holds an LLB (Hons) degree from the University of London and is a barrister-at-law of the Inner Temple London. He has also pursued studies at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, London.

He has served as a magistrate at the Kuala Terengganu Magistrate's Court; as a deputy public prosecutor in Kelantan and Terengganu: as a judge of the High Court of Malaya; as a judge of the Court of Appeal and as a judge of the Federal Court.

Gani's reaction

Following the announcement, Gani reportedly told a local online portal that he was unaware his contract would be terminated.

“I don’t want to say a word right now,” he said when contacted by the Malay Mail Online.