Breaches manifesto, but appointment welcomed – Suhakam on new EC chief

Suhakam has welcomed the appointment of Azhar Harun as the new Election Commission chairperson.

However, its chairperson Razali Ismail did have a quibble to point out.

"Suhakam is obliged to point out that the appointment is not in line with the government's election promise that the appointment will be done through parliament in the interest of transparency," he added in a statement this evening.

Those who have defended Azhar's appointment argue that Pakatan Harapan's plans to appoint the heads of key institutions through parliament cannot be done without constitutional amendments.

Nonetheless, Razali said Suhakam looked forward to working with the EC to assist in restoring public confidence in the commission, and integrity to the electoral process.

"Suhakam advises the EC that it should immediately address the many issues that have affected free and fair elections in Malaysia particularly the questionable re-delineation of electoral boundaries.

"Suhakam would also advise the EC to restore the principles of independence, transparency, integrity, competence and fairness, which the previous EC failed to uphold," he added.

In a separate statement earlier, Azhar said under the current laws, EC has been rendered almost powerless.

He said the commission cannot punish or investigate any election offences, and thus urged the public to lodge reports with the police, MACC, or the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission instead. - Mkini