I want to begin by commending ERA Consumer for organising this programme, a programme that ERA has organised for three years in a row to evaluate the role of Suhakam (the human rights commission of Malaysia).

National consultations such as this helps Suhakam to be responsive to the demands of civil society and forces Suhakam to be accountable for its actions and policies.

I would like to focus on three issues pertaining to economic, social and cultural rights.