YOURSAY | 'Just imagine if the past 60 years, we had picked the most qualified person for the job.'
Lawyer Art Harun is new EC chairperson
Anonymous #95676433: Congratulations to Azhar Azizan (popularly known as Art Harun) as the new Election Commission chairperson.
In New Malaysia, we are beginning to see more and more evidence of the recognition of meritocracy; this can only lead to a great future for our country.
Cogito Ergo Sum: Indeed, he is the best man for the job. He is fair and a no-nonsense lawyer. We badly need him in the EC.
Ferdtan: This is the best news, ever. I would rate this highly as one of the best appointments for top positions in our institutions by the Pakatan Harapan government.
He is not a political figure (in the sense of being connected to political parties), and he does not have the past (ugly) involvement with the previous regime.
The other notable appointment I can think of is attorney-general Tommy Thomas. The rest of the top appointments, while I am not saying weren't the right decisions, were somehow blemished, directly or indirectly, either by way of they having been involved (or had been members) in political parties, or had worked with the previous BN administration.
I hope Art Harun will be tough and never compromise to reform the EC. Retire a few of the committee members; they are all up to their necks in the past history of dirty politics that had given advantage to BN to win in the elections.
P Dev Anand Pillai: Azhar is a good choice, he is a tough figure, so political parties and candidates should go through the electoral laws before trying your luck with him.
India had an election commissioner by the name of TN Seshan, who was a no-nonsense person (he is best remembered as the man who cleaned up elections in India).
So we now have senior counsel Azhar as the Malaysian version of Seshan – let us ensure our democracy works and we, the people, will benefit from it.
Sinan Belawan: Indeed, the EC should be as autonomous as the EC of India. It should not be under the purview of the Prime Minister's Department.
Annonymous: The rakyat celebrates this appointment of a true Malaysian and a patriot of great substance and courage. It is truly real reformasi in action.
And we are quite certain the democratic principle of one man, one vote, that the majority rule, and the government of people, by the people and for the people would be restored with this new leadership in EC under Art Harun to ensure transparency, justice and a fair electoral process to save the country from past/future threats of the racist, bigots and corrupt in power.
Vgeorgemy: The appointment of Azhar is what the hardcore-reform hungry rakyat have been yearning for a long time.
Let the best people lead us to reformation. Harapan has clearly started showing their interest in real change.
Being Different: This move will be good for the country. Good for the people who want to live united and see that everyone is treated fairly.
It is not only who the prime minister is that is important. The right people in the right position, place and time is most needed. It is great that we are seeing some good changes.
Headhunter: Finally, the right man for the job. He has his plate full as there is much work to be done, or rather, undone from the previous administration. No doubt he will rebuild the EC to its glory days.
Gerard Lourdesamy: Well done, Azhar. Get on with the job of electoral reform including proportional representation, Senate and local council elections.
Also, ensure that the rest of the EC is on the same page as you. Some of the fossils there have to be replaced.
The election laws are outdated and need to be updated to be on par with the established democracies in the world.
Mission Accomplished: Art Harun after reading so many favourable postings on your fine achievements and an unquestioned decent character, Malaysians will have no doubt you will straighten the crooked tree planted by the Umno kleptocrats.
New Malaysia is looking to the full value of one man, one vote. Let us have all the constituencies be more balanced and have a better racial mix. Remove all tainted officers who were ‘dedak-fed’ and loyal to Umno.
It is a tall order to reform such a badly corrupted institution but we are confident you are the man of the hour. May Allah guide you on your difficult endeavour.
Man Lee: Art Harun, let's cut to the chase. Your top priority is to redress the ridiculous imbalance between urban and rural parliamentary seats. We can't have 160,000 people of Damansara electing one MP, and then 200,000 Malays electing 10 MPs.
It's downright embarrassing, and it is an affront to democratic principles. Just go back to the original formula when the electoral maps were drawn.
It would be no surprise that even in the old days, there was some bias towards the rural Malay seats. But bias towards rural seats is common across many democracies around the world for very good reasons.
A very simple way to address this issue is to have a reasonable range of total voters in each constituency. Say 25,000 to 65,000. We don't really mind if the rural Malay voters get to send 25 percent more MPs to Parliament compared to non-Malay voters.
Just don't have ridiculous giant urban seats. Indeed, Tony Pua's Damansara should be split into two so that we have two MPs instead of one.
If we want Chinese and Indians to be part of Bangsa Malaysia, you must not discriminate against them too much.
Anonymous_1419577444: Art, you have a mammoth task to put right our electoral system and install safeguards to prevent future ruling parties from trying to 'rape' the system again.
It will be very tough, but during tough times, remember that you have the rakyat standing with you. We have confidence that you can leave a lasting positive legacy for Malaysia.
Anonymous_f87fd98a: Just imagine if this had been the policy for the past 60 years – the most qualified man/woman for the job. We would have been a developed country by now.
Anyway, it's not too late and we have to start somewhere.
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