Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail must respond immediately and appropriately to the allegation that he fabricated evidence against former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, said a DAP leader today.

Party publicity secretary Gobind Singh Deo warned that Abdul Gani's silence on this matter will have a "dooming effect" on his career.

"He must respond to the allegations ... there is a necessity on him to demonstrate the moral courage to act transparently," said Gobind in a statement.

Last month, Gobind said he supported the appointment and urged Abdul Gani's detractors to give him the chance to prove himself as AG before criticisms are levelled.

Abdul Gani, who assumed office yesterday, replaces Ainum Mohd Saaid who resigned in November due to ill-health.

The controversial appointment was opposed by a number of opposition parties, including several DAP leaders, and non-governmental organisations.

Controversial chief prosecutor

Abdul Gani who was the chief prosecutor in Anwar's sodomy and corruption trials is alleged to have coerced witness S Nallakaruppan to fabricate evidence against the ex-deputy premier in exchange for a lighter sentence.

At that time, Nallakaruppan, Anwar's tennis partner, was charged with illegal possession of firearms which upon conviction carries a mandatory death sentence.

Abdul Gani was also alleged by the opposition to have protected International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz from prosecution on five charges of corruption.

The Bar Council had also questioned the appointment in the light of criticisms made by the Federal Court against Abdul Gani concerning his role in the contempt of court charges against Anwar's lawyer Zainur Zakaria.

Zainur was found guilty of contempt by the High Court for filing a court document detailing Abdul Gani's alleged promise to Nallakaruppan and calling for the removal of the prosecutor from Anwar's case.

The decision was however overturned on appeal by the Federal Court.

Damning accusation

Meanwhile, Gobind today said that Abdul Gani should not leave these questions unanswered.

"There is certainly room for the public to believe that every attorney-general must be accountable to the public as it is the public whose interest the AG is required to advance and protect," said Gobind.

"To be accused of using the death penalty against anyone to obtain evidence against Anwar is certainly most damning and damaging and anyone with a conscience knows that allegations of this nature should not go unexplained."