By Anwar IbrahimKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 - Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has welcomed the appointment of Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yusof, the Secretary-General of the Home Ministry, as the new chairman of the Election Commission (EC) replacing Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman.
Anwar commended Abdul Aziz for his professional integrity and competence, saying: “He is quite highly regarded, that I know for certain,.”
However, he held a very cautious view as to Abdul Aziz’s ability to effect change to the public perception of the EC. He noted that the EC has been known to be “badly tainted”, referring no doubt to the increasing allegations against the election body under the helm of Abdul Rashid.
“We have to wait for his personal views that he, as chairman, will make and not as a secretary-general of a ministry,” Anwar said.
“He is entrusted with a major task of ensuring that a democratic institution in the country is respected.”
Anwar, the de facto PKR chief, had just concluded a Pakatan Rakyat secretariat meeting in Parliament today which he described as routine.
He said that among the things discussed were the need for an immediate meeting of all PR MPs and a special seminar to discuss current issues, which had been postponed in the past few weeks following the by-election in Permatang Pauh and the recent Hari Raya festivities.
Asked to confirm rumours that PR was moving for a parliamentary caucus on the judiciary, Anwar replied that there had been suggestions, but that as the Leader of the Opposition, he would need to consult and notify the minister in charge of parliamentary affairs, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, before he could make the subsequent proposal.
Anwar said he would do so as soon as possible but did not commit to a specific date.
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