Azhar Azizan Harun
{{short description|Malaysian politician and lawyer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Malay name|Azhar|Azizan Harun}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Datuk
| name = Azhar Azizan Harun
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=MYS|size=100|PSM|PJN}}
| native_name = {{lang|ms|{{Script|Arab|أزهر عزيزان هارون}}}}
| native_name_lang = ms
| image = Art Harun 2022.jpg
| caption = Azhar in 2022
| blank1 = Other names
| data1 = Art Harun
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|10|26|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Kampung Sanglang, Ayer Hitam, Kedah, Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia)
| citizenship = Malaysian
| order1 = 10th
| office1 = Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat
| constituency1 = Non-MP (Independent)
| term_start1 = 13 July 2020
| term_end1 = 18 December 2022
| monarch1 = Abdullah
| primeminister1 = Muhyiddin Yassin
{{small|(2020–2021)}}
Ismail Sabri Yaakob
{{small|(2021–2022)}}
Anwar Ibrahim
{{small|(2022)}}
| predecessor1 = Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof
| successor1 = Johari Abdul
| deputy1 = Mohd Rashid Hasnon
{{small|(2020–2022)}}
Azalina Othman Said
{{small|(2020–2021)}}
| office2 = 9th Chairman of the Election Commission of Malaysia
| appointer2 = Muhammad V
| nominator2 = Mahathir Mohamad
| term_start2 = 21 September 2018
| term_end2 = 29 June 2020
| predecessor2 = Mohd Hashim Abdullah
| successor2 = Abdul Ghani Salleh
| party = Independent
| alma_mater = University of Malaya (LLB)
King's College London (LLM)
| occupation = Lawyer
| spouse = Simla Bibi Abdul Gani
| children =
| relatives = Idrus Harun (elder brother)
| website =
| footnotes = {{pom|3806}}
}}
Azhar bin Azizan Harun ({{langx|ms-Arab|أزهر بن عزيزان هارون|label=Jawi}}; born 26 October 1962), also known as Art Harun, is a Malaysian politician and lawyer who served as the 10th Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat from July 2020 to December 2022 and the 9th Chairman of the Election Commission (EC) from September 2018 to his resignation in June 2020.{{cite news|url=https://bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=1859984|title=Art Harun, from court, EC and now Parliament|publisher=Bernama|date=15 May 2020|access-date=15 May 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/node/710228/amp |title=Art Harun, dari mahkamah dan SPR ke Parlimen |trans-title=Art Harun, from court and EC to Parliament |date=13 July 2020|access-date=4 August 2020 |work=Berita Harian |language=ms}}{{cite web |last1=Yunus |first1=Arfa |title=No regrets, says Art Harun on accepting Speaker's role {{!}} New Straits Times |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2020/07/608275/no-regrets-says-art-harun-accepting-speakers-role |website=NST Online |access-date=26 July 2020 |language=en |date=13 July 2020}}
Early life and education
Azhar was born in Ayer Hitam, Kedah. He is the younger brother of Idrus Harun, who was the Attorney-General of Malaysia from March 2020 until September 2023.{{cite news|date=13 July 2020|title=Parlimen: Art Harun Speaker baharu|url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/utama/2020/07/599373/parlimen-art-harun-speaker-baharu|publisher=Harian Metro|language=ms|access-date=13 July 2020}}
Azhar read law at the University of Malaya and graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1986.{{Cite web|date=6 March 2019|title=Art Harun dengan dua idolanya...|url=https://www.malaysia-today.net/2019/03/06/art-harun-dengan-dua-idolanya/|access-date=14 July 2020|website=Malaysia Today|language=ms}} He then furthered his studies at the King's College London and obtained his degree of Master of Laws (with merit) there.
Career
= Legal practice =
Azhar started his career at a firm named Allen & Gledhill in 1987 and also used to work at Tetuan KH Koh, Azhar & Koh in 1992. Then, he continued his career at various law firms like Tetuan Khaw & Hussein, Tetuan TH Su & Partners, Tetuan Lamin & Co, Tetuan Hisham Sobri & Kadir, Tetuan Shafee & Co and Tetuan Cheang & Ariff (owned by Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, who had become the Parliament Speaker whom Azhar has succeeded later). He was also a defendant lawyer, as well as a solicitor at Tetuan Azhar & Goh.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/IsmailBakar60/status/1042969438012694528 |title=Kenyataan Media: Pelantikan Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya|date= 21 September 2018|work=Ketua Setiausaha Negara|publisher=Dr. Ismail Hj Bakar|language=ms|via=Twitter|access-date= 13 July 2020}}
= Chairman of Election Commission (2018–2020) =
Azhar was first appointed as the Chairman of EC on 21 September 2018,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/09/413487/lawyer-art-harun-new-ec-chairman|title=Lawyer Art Harun is new EC chairman|author=Siti A'isyah Sukaimi |date=21 September 2018 |publisher=New Straits Times|language=en|access-date=14 July 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2018/09/21/ec-gets-new-chairman-lawyer-art-harun/1674989|title=EC gets new chairman, lawyer Art Harun|author=Ida Lim|date= 21 September 2018 |publisher=Malay Mail|access-date= 22 September 2018}} not long after the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition under new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad came into power succeeding their campaigns against previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government corruptions and abuses in the 2018 general election (GE14), as his past experience and known reputation suits the institutional reforms agenda of new ruling PH administration and the peoples' mandate as well as expectations had made himself a right choice.{{cite news|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2018/09/22/who-is-art-harun-the-new-ec-chairman/1675191 |title=Who is Art Harun, the new EC chairman?|author=Ida Lim|date=22 September 2018 |publisher=Malay Mail|language=ms|access-date=22 September 2018}} Eight by-elections were held under his chairmanship and he had implemented a number of reforms in the country's electoral system including online voter registration, voter's card, providing facilities for disabled and elderly voters as well as live-streaming of the vote counting process on Facebook. He served the office until his resignation on 29 June 2020.
= Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat (2020–2022) =
After quitting his EC position, Azhar was appointed as the Parliament Speaker on 13 July 2020,{{cite news|date=12 July 2020|title=Azhar Harun candidate for Dewan Rakyat speaker, Azalina deputy|url=http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/azhar-harun-candidate-dewan-rakyat-speaker-azalina-deputy-250871|publisher=Astro Awani|access-date=13 July 2020}} in the aftermath of the 2020 Malaysian political crisis. He was nominated by the new Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/07/29/why-did-perikatan-pick-art-harun-as-new-speaker-pundits-suggest-part-of-bid/1889010|title=Why did Perikatan pick Art Harun as new Speaker? Pundits suggest part of bid to woo urbanites|date=29 July 2020 |access-date=30 July 2021|website=Malay Mail}} His controversial appointment motion was moved by Muhyiddin following an impromptu motion to unseat incumbent Mohamad Ariff.{{Cite web|last=Hasnan|first=Harits Asyraf|date=13 July 2020|title=Azhar Azizan Harun YDP Dewan Rakyat baharu, angkat sumpah dalam suasana gempita|url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/azhar-azizan-harun-ydp-dewan-rakyat-baharu-angkat-sumpah-dalam-suasana-gempita-250993|access-date=14 July 2020|website=Astro Awani|language=ms}} The motion was seconded by Senior Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali and narrowly succeeded through a 111–109 vote.{{Cite web|last=Palansamy|first=Yiswaree|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/07/13/malaysia-has-likely-set-precedent-as-first-country-to-remove-a-sitting-parl/1884092|title=Malaysia likely set precedent as first country to remove a sitting parliamentary Speaker, says Mohamad Ariff |access-date=14 July 2020|website=Malay Mail}}
He had overseen the suspension of Parliament due to the proclamation of the 2021 Malaysian state of emergency from January to August which had also witnessed the enactment and revocation of Emergency Ordinance (EO), to prevent or delay any election to keep power by hiding behind the motive to curb COVID-19 pandemic has led to his failures to protect the rights of parliamentarians of the house.{{cite news |title=Malaysia invokes emergency to stop by-elections as COVID-19 cases rise|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/covid-19-malaysia-emergency-stop-by-elections-sabah-perak-cases-13783994 |access-date=18 December 2020 |work=Channel News Asia|date=16 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218040918/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/covid-19-malaysia-emergency-stop-by-elections-sabah-perak-cases-13783994 |archive-date=18 December 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/35511/quit-if-your-loyalty-is-to-govt-instead-of-king-azhar-told-ahead-of-special-dewan-meet|title=Quit if your loyalty is to govt instead of king, Azhar told ahead of special Dewan meet|author=|publisher=The Vibes|date=21 July 2021 |access-date=27 January 2022}}
The replacement of Ismail Sabri Yaakob of Barisan Nasional (BN) as the new Prime Minister of the PN government in August 2021 allowed Azhar to remain as Parliament Speaker.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/587983|title=Ismail Sabri appointed 9th prime minister|date=20 August 2021|website=Malaysiakini|access-date=20 August 2021|language=en}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/39700/up-to-pm-if-he-wants-to-keep-me-on-as-speaker-art-harun|title=Up to PM if he wants to keep me on as speaker: Art Harun|publisher=The Vibes|date=21 Jul 2021 |access-date=27 January 2022}}
Controversies and issues
Azhar was accused of bias and favouring the PN - BN government on a number of occasions when the administration was facing a challenge.{{cite web|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/05/13/azhar-clarifies-remarks-on-parliamentary-panels-meeting-during-emergency/|title=Azhar clarifies remarks on parliamentary panels meeting during emergency|author=Nicholas Chung|date= 13 May 2021|website=Free Malaysia Today|access-date=29 July 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/07/24/anwar039s-motion-rejected-because-it-was-submitted-too-early-says-speaker|title=Anwar's motion rejected because it was submitted too early, says Speaker|author=Tarrence Tan|date=24 Jul 2021|publisher=The Star |access-date=27 January 2022}} He has rejected a motion on 6 October 2021 proposed by Opposition Leader, Anwar Ibrahim to debate the Pandora Papers and dismissed the matter as "not urgent" despite it being widely and internationally considered a big amount of money being illegally siphoned and held offshore (outside the country) that must be investigated immediately.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/10/06/speaker-dismisses-anwar039s-motion-to-debate-pandora-papers|title=Speaker dismisses Anwar's motion to debate Pandora Papers|author=Rahimy Rahim|date=6 October 2021|publisher=The Star |access-date=27 January 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/10/06/opposition-mps-speaker-in-heated-exchange-after-emergency-motion-to-debate/2011215 |title=Opposition MPs, Speaker in heated exchange after emergency motion to debate Pandora Papers rejected|author=Yiswaree Palansamy|date=6 October 2021 |publisher=Malay Mail|access-date=27 January 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/594934 |title=Pandora Papers: Anwar says speaker is behaving like a defence counsel|author=Geraldine Tong|date=11 October 2021 |publisher=Malaysiakini|access-date=27 January 2022}}
On 20 July 2020, Azhar claimed that he did not order a judge to adjourn the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) trial against former prime minister Najib Razak so that the latter can deliver a speech in parliament.{{Cite web |date=2020-07-20 |title=Malaysia's speaker denies ordering judge to adjourn 1MDB trial so that Najib can address parliament |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-parliament-speaker-najib-1mdb-trial-adjournment-705796 |access-date= |website=CNA |language=en}}
On 20 December 2021, Azhar was criticised in dismissing the demands and calls from MPs to debate the worsening December 2021 Malaysian floods crisis during the parliamentary sitting.{{Cite web|url= https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/12/22/there-was-no-motion-to-debate-flood-crisis-says-speaker/|title=There was no motion to debate flood crisis, says Speaker|author=|date=22 December 2021 |publisher=Free Malaysia Today|access-date=27 January 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/604176 |title='Speaker erred in dismissing demands to debate flood issue'|author=|date=23 December 2021 |publisher=Malaysiakini|access-date=27 January 2022}}
On 20 January 2022, Azhar was slammed again for preventing Parliament from debating the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki shareholding controversy.{{Cite web|url= https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/607616|title=Speaker rejects motion on Azam, PM mum despite nudging from MPs|author=Geraldine Tong|date=20 January 2022 |publisher=Malaysiakini|access-date=27 January 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/01/20/art-harun-turns-down-opposition-mps039-attempts-to-debate-azam-baki-shares-issue-in-parliament|title=Art Harun turns down Opposition MPs' attempts to debate Azam Baki shares issue in Parliament|author=Martin Carvalho, Rahimy Rahim|date=20 January 2022|publisher=The Star |access-date=27 January 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thesundaily.my/local/parliament-will-not-debate-azam-baki-controversy-says-speaker-JH8779193|title=
Parliament will not debate Azam Baki controversy, says speaker|author=|date=20 January 2022|publisher=The Sun Daily |access-date=27 January 2022}}
Honours
=Honours of Malaysia=
- {{Flag|Malaysia}} :
- 50px Commander of the Order of Meritorious Service (PJN) – Datuk (2019){{cite news|url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/47117/BERITA/Nasional/795-terima-darjah-kebesaran-pingat-sempena-Hari-Keputeraan-Agong|title=795 terima darjah kebesaran, pingat sempena Hari Keputeraan Agong|language=ms|website=Sinar Harian|date=9 September 2019|access-date=18 July 2020}}
- File:Order_of_Loyalty_to_the_Crown_of_Malaysia_-_PSM.svg Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri (2021){{Cite web|date=13 November 2021|title=Former Chief Justice and ex-FELDA chairman head King's birthday honours list|url=http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/former-felda-chairman-raja-muhammad-alias-receives-tun-title-heads-kings-birthday-honours|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113025308/https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/former-felda-chairman-raja-muhammad-alias-receives-tun-title-heads-kings-birthday-honours|archive-date=13 November 2021|access-date=13 November 2021|website=The Edge Markets}}
References
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{{s-bef|before = Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof}}
{{s-ttl|title = Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat|years= 2020 - 2022}}
{{s-aft|after = Johari Abdul}}
{{s-end}}
{{Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat}}
{{Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia}}
{{Portal bar|Malaysia|Biography|Law|Politics}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Azhar Azizan Harun}}
Category:University of Malaya alumni
Category:Alumni of King's College London
Category:Malaysian people of Malay descent
Category:20th-century Malaysian lawyers
Category:Malaysian civil servants
Category:Malaysian critics of religions
Category:Independent politicians in Malaysia
Category:Commanders of the Order of Meritorious Service
Category:Commanders of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia
Category:21st-century Malaysian lawyers