OUTGOING Election Commission chief Azhar Azizan Harun was nominated as the next Dewan Rakyat speaker because of his legal background, said Barisan Nasional secretary-general Annuar Musa.

Azhar’s nomination by the Perikatan Nasional government also has nothing to do with his brother Idrus Harun being the attorney-general, Annuar said.

“I don’t think it’s fair to link his nomination to his brother being the A-G.  

“The important thing is that the speaker is a person of legal background and meets certain criteria. I think he is one of those who meets the criteria. So, there’s nothing unusual,” Annuar, who is also Federal Territories minister, said today after making a site visit to the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market in Selayang.

The Malaysian Insight reported today that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had submitted a motion for Azhar to replace Mohamad Ariff Mohd Yusof as the speaker.

Ariff was appointed by Pakatan Harapan in 2018.

Azhar was also appointed as EC chief commissioner by the PH government.

Azhar, popularly known as Art Harun, is understood to have tendered his resignation yesterday and his nomination submitted late the same day.

It follows an early submission of a motion by Muhyiddin on June 26 to replace Ariff, who is from Amanah, and deputy speaker Nga Kor Ming of DAP.

Annuar said that Azhar had shown great service in his time heading the EC.

“The process of appointing will take place in the lower house. He must have enough support from the members of the assembly, at least a simple majority,” he said. – June 30, 2020.