by BERNAMA

Lawyer Azhar Azizan is the new chairman of the Election Commission (EC), Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Bakar announced today.

He takes over from Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah whose term of service ended on July 1.

Ismail said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, had consented to the appointment.

Azhar, 56, who holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Malaya and a Master of Laws from King’s College, University of London, is an advocate and solicitor with Messrs Azhar & Goh and has expertise in electoral laws, he said.

“Azhar launched his career in law in 1987 at Allen & Gledhill. From 1992, he served as a lawyer at Messrs KH Koh, Azhar & Koh,” he said.

Ismail said Azhar had also served at several leading legal firms, including Messrs Khaw & Hussein; Messrs TH Su & Partners; Messrs Lamin & Co; Messrs Hisham Sobri & Kadir; Messrs Shafee & Co and Messrs Cheang & Ariff.

“I am confident that his qualifications and experience can enable him to discharge his duties and responsibilities well as the EC chairman as stipulated in the Federal Constitution,” he said.