Idrus Harun Is Malaysia's New Attorney General. Here Are 3 Things To Know About Him

His name is Idrus Harun and his appointment is effective 6 March.

Aged 65, he is replacing Tommy Thomas who resigned on 28 February amidst a political crisis.

A statement from the Prime Minister's Department (PMO) said that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) has approved the appointment of Idrus Harun in accordance with Clause (1) of Article 145 of the Federal Constitution as the new Attorney General for a two-year term.

The PMO statement also thanked Tommy Thomas for his service to the country.

Formerly, a Court of Appeal Judge, he was elevated as a Federal Court Judge in 2018.

Idrus, who once served as a Solicitor General of Malaysia, has been a legal adviser to the Election Commission (EC) and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

According to a report in Free Malaysia Today (FMT), he has been educated in the Malay schools.

"His climb up the social ladder has been more difficult than some of his other siblings who were sent to English schools," FMT reported while quoted an anonymous source.

Idrus comes from a large family of nine siblings, who grew up in Kampung Sanglang, Kedah.

The current EC chairman, who is popularly known as Art Harun, has now been asked to step down by former EC deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar following the change in government.

The call for Art Harun to resign comes after the resignations of two high-profile people, Tommy Thomas as Attorney General and Latheefa Koya as MACC chief commissioner.

According to Gopal Sri Ram, Idrus is honest and is very independent in discharging his duties.