RAMLAN Harun is the Election Commission chairman, effective today.

The appointment was announced by chief secretary to the government Mohd Zuki Ali in a statement.

Zuki said the appointment has the consent of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim

Ramlan, who holds a master’s degree in land resource management from Universiti Putra Malaysia, started his career as an assistant director at the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

A veteran of 25 years in the civil service, Ramlan had been secretary-general in the Rural Development Ministry since 2021.

He replaces Abdul Ghani Salleh, who retired on May 9 after four years at the helm.

Rghts groups had urged the government to reform the appointment process of EC officials to include selection by a parliamentary committe, among others.

EC deputy chairman Professor Azmi Sharom had called for transparency in the apppointment process, saying it was shrouded in secret and opaque practices.

The new EC chairman’s first task will be the Sungai Bakap by-election on July 6. He is also set to chair a meeting next week on the Nenggiri state seat vacancy in Kelantan. – June 26, 2024.