The Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) expresses its disappointment with the government of Malaysia in its handling of the matters pertaining to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam). This is totally unacceptable and unbecoming of a responsible government. There are three areas of concern.

The first, is the provision of adequate funds for the work of Suhakam. It is totally unacceptable that the government of Malaysia is unable to find an additional RM5 million for Suhakam in 2016. The budget cut by 50 percent is unacceptable as a RM10 to RM12 million annually is a very small sum in light of the total federal spending. It is unbelievable that the government is unable to find the additional funds which it is obligated to provide.

Second, there is reference made recently that the geographical spread of Suhakam’s promotional and protection work is narrowed down to just the Klang valley. Proham urges the minister referred to, namely Paul Low, to verify and clarify the statement which is quoted as a written parliamentary reply.

This, too, is totally unacceptable as the promotion and protection work must have a national coverage to all the states in the peninsula as well as the states of Sabah and Sarawak.

Third, we are once again in an unacceptable situation where there is a commission without commissioners. It is the duty of the federal government that ensure that the appointments are made in due time of the expiry of the tenure of commissioners. This failure to comply with human rights standards and obligations is reflective of the low priority placed on human rights by the current administration.

Suhakam was established in 1999 about 17 years ago. Malaysia has previously played an active role in the United Nations both in the Security Commission and UN Human Rights Commission. It is of utmost importance that the work of Suhakam is not undermined but enhanced in accordance to international human rights standards.

Therefore Proham urges the federal government to fulfill its obligations based on the Suhakam Act as well as Malaysia’s international obligations.

DENISON JAYASOORIA is Proham secretary-general.