DAP’s Klang MP Charles Santiago said while Azhar, better known as Art, would not have been his first choice, now that he had been appointed, the people should welcome the move and demand high standards from him.
“Previously, we did not have trustworthy persons helming the post. Hopefully, Azhar’s appointment will allow for more transparency, consultation and accountability in the election process,” he told FMT when asked to comment on Azhar’s appointment.
Azhar replaces Mohd Hashim Abdullah, whose tenure as chairman was shortened to July 1. It was initially supposed to end in August 2020.
Asked if Azhar’s history of Facebook posts criticising Umno and former prime minister Najib Razak was a matter of concern, the three-term DAP MP quipped that no one would be suitable for the post if their Facebook walls were similarly scrutinised.
“What’s more important now is establishing what his mandate will be now that the electoral reforms committee has been set up.
“We’re looking at two heads doing the same job now. Are they going to work together?” Santiago asked.
The Election Reforms Committee, which is currently chaired by former EC chairman Ab Rashid Ab Rahman, has said it is looking to overhaul the electoral process and replace the EC with a management body.
DAP stalwart Dr Boo Cheng Hau, on the other hand, said that despite having great respect for Art’s outspokenness in the past, he was disappointed in Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for not doing good on institutional reforms.
“The appointment does not show the prime minister is strong-willed in working to address institutional reforms because it did not go through a transparent process or scrutiny in Parliament,” he told FMT.
Rushing the appointment of the EC chairman was a slap in the face, he said as a parliamentary body should have been tasked with overseeing all such appointments, as Pakatan Harapan (PH) had promised.
This should also apply to the top officers helming the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the country’s top judges, he said, something PH had not done since wresting Putrajaya in the May 9 polls.
He said this did not reflect the determination of the new government to carry out reforms.
“It is far from being a sprinting start for institutional reforms,” Boo said.
His comments seem to echo those expressed earlier by Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin who welcomed the appointment but disagreed with how it was done.
Khairy was confident Azhar would be able to enhance the electoral system to ensure free and fair elections in the country.
“However, in Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto, it is clearly stated that the appointments of EC members must go through the parliamentary process. This was not done.”
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan welcomed the move, expressing hope that the new EC chairman, as a professional, will act in a transparent manner, not play favourites and will carry out full reforms on restoring the integrity and public confidence in this key electoral institution in the country.
“PAS hopes Azhar will be given full autonomy under the law, without any disturbances, obstacles or influence from any quarters in running a fair, transparent and clean election, free from any elements that can raise doubts on the fairness and legitimacy of the EC and the elections it manages.
“We also hope this appointment will enable the EC to review the weaknesses and injustices that have occurred and exist in the EC, as well as election practices all this while, including the issue of redelineation, especially the weightage between rural and urban areas.
“PAS is ready to provide feedback, proposals and criticisms that can help improve the country’s electoral system,” he said in a statement.
Thomas Fann, of pro-reform NGO Engage, told FMT that Azhar’s outspokenness against the previous administration should not disqualify him from assuming the role.
However, he cautioned the lawyer-activist to watch his words now that he is representing an independent commission, saying that Azhar had to realise his job required him to always act and speak impartially.
This, he explained, would ensure the EC, which had previously been accused of being unfair and one-sided, carries out its duties and ensures the voting process is respected, as should be the case.