The government has proposed a bill to establish the Attorney General’s Office as a separate entity outside the Civil Service Commission (CSC). The Attorney General’s Office Bill was introduced to the parliament by parliamentarian Abdullah Rifau on behalf of the government. The bill aims to create a distinct government office with defined requirements, responsibilities, and duties for the Attorney General.
The bill seeks to establish a legal framework for the office’s operation, including staff appointments. While the Constitution defines the Attorney General’s Office as an independent body, it has previously operated under CSC, unlike other independent institutions such as the Prosecutor General’s Office, which are governed by separate laws.
The proposed bill notes that Employees of the Attorney General’s Office will be categorized into two groups: the Legal Service and the Administrative Service. Their salaries and allowances will be determined by the Minister of Finance, in line with policies set by the National Pay Commission. The bill also includes provisions for employee participation in a health insurance system and eligibility for honorary retirement benefits under the Retirement Rules.
This move follows the separation of the Foreign Ministry from the civil service under the Foreign Service Act, enacted in 2021. By establishing the Attorney General’s Office as an independent entity, the government aims to ensure a more specialized and effective legal framework for its operations.