KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri said yesterday she was unsure whether Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail’s contract will be extended after his birthday in October.

Although being aware that Abdul Gani would retire in October, the de facto law minister said his contract is still subject to review.

“I have no information about his position. He is supposed to retire in October. But whether or not his contract is extended is up to the government,” she told reporters at Publika mall in Kuala Lumpur.

On whether she is prepared to continue working with Abdul Gani, Nancy said she is willing to work with anyone.

“For me, I will work with anyone. Regardless who becomes the attorney-general, I will work with them. Whether it’s Gani or someone else, the work must go on,” she said.

The attorney-general serves as the main legal adviser to the government, and the role is included in Article 145 of the Federal Constitution.

Abdul Gani has held the post since 2002, and if his contract is extended he will become the country’s longest serving attorney-general, a record now held by Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman, who held the position from 1980 to 1993.

On May 3, Umno-owned broadsheet Utusan Malaysia said it is time for Putrajaya to replace Abdul Gani, citing his ill health and long years of service. — The Malaysian Insider

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on July 3, 2015.