Art Harun shows he’s got what it takes to be EC head

PORT DICKSON: Just a day after clocking in as the new Election Commission chairman in Putrajaya, Azhar Harun has been thrown into the ring to face “heavyweight” by-election.

Azhar , better known as Art Harun, said he was relieved that the nomination process went smoothly, despite a hitch at the entrance to the nomination centre at the Port Dickson Municipal Council hall.

“I always believed that I inherited an excellent workforce.

“Operationally, the EC has been excellent although policy wise, there are some areas where we need improvements,” he said.

Eight candidates filed their papers but one had his rejected as the proposer was not a registered voter in Port Dickson.

Azhar said there was only a minor problem at the main entrance to the centre after the crowd got too big.

“There were too many supporters. When you have too many people gathering in a confined place for a short time, these things are bound to happen,” he said, adding that this was however quickly resolved.

Azhar said the EC's job was to facilitate an election and the duty to provide security was with the authorities and also the responsibility of political parties contesting in elections to ensure security was not breached at any time.

“We will certainly look at ways to introduce necessary reforms for the betterment of the electoral process in Malaysia,” he added.