The Malaysian Bar has given its support for former president Ambiga Sreenevasan to be appointed as the new attorney-general.

Bar president George Varughese said that Ambiga would be a perfect candidate for the position, given that she is not a politician which would thus ensure the independence of the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

"If Ambiga is appointed as the new AG, she would ensure that the chambers would be free from political influences and interference," he told Malaysiakini.

Varughese also stated that the new AG should be of impeccable character, to be able to give sound advice to prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

What is of equal importance, he stressed, is that the AG should be against race, religion and gender-based politics.

"To this, Ambiga meets this criteria. Hence, she enjoys the confidence and support of the Malaysian Bar should she be chosen for the post," he said.

Besides leading the Bar, Ambiga had also served as the chairperson of electoral reform group Bersih.

In a statement yesterday, Varughese said that it is crucial to separate the AGC from the office of the public prosecutor.

"The removal of the public prosecutorial role from the attorney-general is a necessary step to strengthen the independence of public prosecutors, and to promote public confidence in the office of the director of public prosecution.

“The prospect or appearance of bias would be removed," he had said.

Although Mahathir indicated last week that the new administration does not have an AG at present, Mohamed Apandi Ali was reported to have clocked in for work as normal this morning.

Despite his denials, Apandi remains in the prime minister's crosshairs, as he believes the former concealed evidence regarding the 1MDB scandal.

Ambiga, when met after a court case, said she did not want to comment on the Malaysian Bar's suggestion adding she would prefer to let due process take its path.