Azhar resigns as EC chairman

Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun. Source: Election Commission of Malaysia

By Adrian Lim

KUCHING, July 9: Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun has resigned as the chairman of the Election Commission (EC) of Malaysia.

EC in a press statement today said Azhar’s resignation was effective June 29 and his resignation was consented to by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah in a letter issued by Istana Negara dated June 30.

EC said in accordance with Article 114(7), Dr Azmi Sharom who is the deputy chairman of the EC will assume the duties of the chairman until the new chairman is appointed.

In the meantime, EC expressed its highest appreciation to Azhar for his contribution during his tenure as the commission’s chairman.

Azhar, a lawyer by training, was appointed as the chairman of EC in September 2018.

He is widely tipped to become the Dewan Rakyat Parliament Speaker during the upcoming Parliament sitting which will start on July 13.—DayakDaily