Former Institutional Reform Committee (IRC) member Ambiga Sreenevasan has defended Putrajaya's decision to bypass Parliament and appoint veteran lawyer Azhar Azizan@Harun as the new Election Commission chief, saying that his predecessor was a "disaster."

Ambiga said this to former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, telling him that Azhar's appointment "had to be done" in this manner as empowering Parliament to do so would first acquire a constitutional amendment.

She was responding to a tweet by Khairy today, which said that the Pakatan Harapan government missed the chance "to do things differently."

"In your euphoria of celebrating his appointment, just don’t forget that the process matters more than him (Azhar)," he said.

Khairy said yesterday that Azhar – better known as Art Harun (right in photo) – should turn down the post for the time being, as his appointment contravened Harapan's election pledge that EC members should be appointed by Parliament.

Ambiga then became embroiled in a Twitter debate with Khairy, after tweeting: "Any change in appointment process needs a constitutional amendment. As it stands, this is the way it has to be done."

This invited a response from the Rembau MP, who reiterated that Harapan could institute an interim model, such as when the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) was established without amending the constitution.

When Ambiga pointed out that a constitutional provision would still prevail over such a measure, Khairy argued that processes are important, stating: "That’s why I said interim. It would have allowed a parliamentary debate as per manifesto promise.

"Too bad institutional reform starts with an appointment that is made in this manner. Should and could have been different. Poor form."

To this Ambiga replied: "That’s for you to take up in Parliament. I know you are talking about the process, but as candidates go Art Harun is an excellent choice.

"...As things stand, due process was complied with. Given your obvious passion for reform and due process, I hope you will be at the forefront of bringing that change and making sure a two-thirds majority can be obtained for necessary constitutional amendments.

"...And pardon the 'euphoria' you so elegantly refer to: the last EC chair was a disaster."

Azhar will be replacing Mohd Hashim Abdullah as EC chair, who opted for early retirement in July.

The EC had come under heavy criticism for its handling of the past elections under the BN administration, including allegations of bias and its last redelineation exercise, which critics say involved gerrymandering to benefit the then-ruling government in the 14th general election.

'Just for show'

In a separate statement, lawyer Syahredzan Johan said that debating Azhar's appointment in Parliament would be merely for show.

"Debating the election of the new EC chairperson in Parliament within the framework of the existing constitution would be wasted step, and would serve to provide a picture that there is change.

"This is not true institutional reform, but merely going through the motions. In fact, it would only delay the process of cleaning up the EC that is so desperately (needed)," said Syahredzan, who is also political secretary to Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang.