The individual to replace Abdul Ghani Salleh as the new Election Commission (EC) chairperson has been identified, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Speaking to the press today, Anwar said the new candidate will be appointed according to the due process.

“We will follow the process and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will give his consent to the appointment,” he said during a press conference after attending the Postnormal Times Madani Exhibition at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur.

The position of EC chairperson fell vacant on May 9 when Ghani retired upon reaching 66 years of age.

Yesterday, deputy EC chairperson Azmi Sharom called for transparency in appointing commissioners in the agency.

EC deputy chairperson Azmi Sharom

Azmi admitted that the appointment process of EC commissioners, himself included, is “shrouded in secrecy and opaque practices”.

In response to Azmi, Anwar said he understood the former’s concerns.

However, he said Azmi, as the deputy chairperson, is not consulted in the appointment process.

“We have to go through the due process,” he said.

On May 9, election watchdog Bersih accused Pakatan Harapan and BN of breaking their promises twice since the general election for appointing two key EC members, namely Sapdin Ibrahim and Lee Bee Phang, without an open and transparent process.

Tindak Malaysia raised similar concerns, calling for constitutional amendments concerning appointments of the EC chairperson and commissioners to inspire public confidence.

Former deputy minister Ong Kian Ming had also echoed calls for the next EC chairperson’s name to be submitted to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Election and Institutional Reform before being put to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for consideration.

New Senate president

Anwar said Putrajaya will discuss the new Dewan Negara president candidate with the coalition government leadership.

Former Senate president Mutang Tagal, who passed away on May 10.

He added that the matter will be discussed during his visit to Sarawak tomorrow.

“We will discuss with the party’s leadership and the Sarawak leadership. This is as two (senate presidents) ended their tenures before their term concluded.

“I will discuss this tomorrow when I’m in Sarawak, God willing.”

On May 10, Dewan Negara president Mutang Tagal passed away at the National Heart Institute. He was 69.

Mutang began receiving treatment at IJN shortly after arriving from Azerbaijan on May 6, following a working visit that started on April 29 and returning earlier than scheduled.