Opposition parliamentarians want the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to be downgraded from A to B, charged Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz today.

parliament gobind singh ban over nazri mistake 251108 04 According to the minister, this is the reason why the opposition objected to the rushed amendments made to the 1999 Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act.

"This is the only reason I can see," he said when commenting on this morning’s war of wards during the debate on the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Amendment) Bill 2009 which saw DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang suspended until 1pm for refusing to retract his 'Umno is power crazy' remark.

The opposition MPs argued that they were not given sufficient time and notice to debate the Bill thoroughly before the amendments were passed.

Only five pages long

However, Nazri disagreed. He said the bill was only five pages long and he had given the House notice yesterday that the bill would be tabled for second and third reading today.

Amendments to the Human Rights Commission Act (also known as the Suhakam Act) have been necessitated by requirements set by the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC).

The ICC has given the government up to tomorrow to incorporate changes on the appointment of commissioners, failing which the commission’s ranking would be reviewed and open to a possibility of being downgraded.

Previously, the commissioners would be appointed by the King on the advice of the prime minister. But with the amendments, the prime minister before tendering his advice must consult a committee.

The committee will be presided by the chief secretary of the government, chairman of the commission and three members who may be former judges or former members of the commission.

"What we are doing now is amending the act to comply with the requirement from ICC. If (the amendments are) done by today then we can notify the ICC, otherwise we would be graded B. They (the opposition) should support... but I think the opposition wants Suhakam to be grade B," said Nazri.

Asked on the consequences of being downgraded, he replied: "It would look bad on our country. But that is what they want so that they can go on their campaigns during the elections and say that human rights in this country is so bad that even Suhakam has been graded B."

"I knew they would try to fail me but I am determined. I will fight them," he said.

In the Dewan Rakyat before the amendments to the Act were passed at 3.30pm, Nazri said although the ICC had requested the changes in April 2008, the amendments could not be done earlier as there were other matters that kept the government busy.

"Last March, we had the general election and later we had debates on the stimulus packages as well as other important matters to be solved," he said.

Lim: Govt lacks commitment

Meanwhile, Lim told reporters that it was shameful and shocking that Parliament hastily debated the bill when amendments so crucial should have been at the beginning of this year's session.

lim kit siang parliament pc 201008 02 "In this case, where the amendments to the bill are rushed through parliament, it shows the lack of commitment from the part of the government.

"The purpose of the human rights amendment is a response to the warning by the ICC which gave Malaysia one year to improve on its human rights as it is not satisfied with Suhakam's failure to meet the Paris Principles, which set the benchmark of human rights precedent with regard to their independence and the effectiveness," said Lim.

According to Lim, Suhakam would be able to retain its A grade, if it was to "truly conform with human rights principles" but if downgraded Suhakam would remain only as an observer.

"So the government had one full year to provide proper amendments so that the mandate on human right is comprehensive as well as its effective but the amendments were done even done with the consultation of other MPs and civil society groups.

"This year marks Suhakam's 10th year and at a time when (Deputy Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak) is becoming PM, the violation of human rights (has increased)," said Lim.

He was referring to the ban on opposition party organs, sedition charges against Karpal Singh, Gobind Singh's one year suspension for Parliament and the investigation into the death of 22-year-old police detainee Kugan Ananthan.

"The action of Umno MPs just now is fully reflective that Umno is power crazy," said Lim.