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KUALA LUMPUR – A coalition of civil society organisations (CSO) has expressed its dismay over the new line-up for the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), claiming that the majority of the new names inspires little confidence among civil society organisations in Malaysia.
In a statement today, the coalition’s reform steering committee said that the fresh appointments announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on July 1 include those with little background in human rights work and ties to political parties.
Suhakam’s new chairman is human and legal rights expert Datuk Rahmat Mohamad while commissioners include Datuk Noor Aziah Mohd Awal, Datuk Mohamad Nordin Ibrahim, Dr Chew Chee Ming, Datuk Mary@Mariati Robert, Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican, Nazira Abdul Rahim, and K. Ragunath.
Going for the jugular, the CSO platform for reform pointed out that Rahmat co-authored a paper that objected to Malaysia’s ratification of the Rome Statute and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd).
Rahmat had also been one of the four academics who had convinced the Council of Rulers to reject the Rome Statute.
“The situation is not in line with Suhakam’s mandate to advise the government on treaty ratifications,” it said, adding that it is surprised that the previous chairman, Tan Sri Othman Hashim, had not been retained as he had contributed to the human rights field.
Besides that, it alleged that since two new commissioners – Nazira and Hasnal – are active Umno politicians, the objectivity of the new line-up is at stake.
Noting that Nazira is Kedah Umno women’s wing chief (Kulim-Bandar Baharu chapter) while Hasnal is the Selayang Umno division deputy chief, it lamented the appointments, saying: “We want independent people who can perform their functions well. Active party members definitely don’t fit the bill.”
Meanwhile, the group said that Sarawak commissioner Dr Chew is incomparable with past commissioner Datuk Madeline Berma as apart from his work as a medical practitioner, he has no known background in human rights work in the context of the local society.
“This is a far cry from the past commissioner Madeline Berma, who has represented Sarawak and Suhakam excellently, and is a familiar and well-respected name among academics, state and federal government, and civil society alike,” it said. – The Vibes, July 3, 2022
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