The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has always been described as a toothless tiger, and even its own leaders have admitted that it lacks the predatory genes.

Now due to budget cuts, the tiger would not only be left without teeth, but also remain caged in the Klang Valley.

"Suhakam has agreed to limit its activities to only the Klang Valley and to optimise the use of its meeting room for its activities," said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Paul Low in a written parliamentary reply today.

Low said this was among several measures the commission had agreed to after the government slashed its 2016 budget from almost RM11 million to just RM5.5 million.

Other austerity measures affecting the human rights watchdog are postponing big budget activities, and limiting overseas trips to sponsored functions or to important events.

Low said Suhakam would use its reserves to manage its shrunken budget, adding that it can apply for additional allocations after June 2016 if necessary.

He was responding to a question from Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) who wanted an explanation on the budget cuts.

Former Suhakam chairperson Hasmy Agam had said since November last year, the cuts would leave the commission in the red, and had requested for additional funding multiple times before his term ended on April 25.