Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) chairperson Abu Talib Othman should seriously consider resigning as his appointment has rendered the organisation a "lame duck", said an opposition leader today.

DAP deputy chairperson and prominent lawyer Karpal Singh called on Abu Talib to invoke provisions of Section 11 of the Human Rights Commission Act which states that a member of the commission may resign from office by a letter addressed to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

According to him, should Abu Talib remain as chairperson, no individual or organisation can with confidence refer any complaint to the commission in relation to human rights abuses by the government.

"Abu Talib, during his tenure as attorney-general and public prosecutor, supported the Internal Security Act and was responsible for many prosecutions which did not receive public approval," said Karpal in a press statement.

He added that public perception should not have been ignored when appointing him to head the commission said.

"The ball is now in Abu Talib's court and I hope he will not disappoint the public by insisting on holding on to his post," stressed Karpal.

Controversial appointment

The announcement last month that Abu Talib (photo) would replace former chairperson Musa Hitam was received negatively by non-governmental organisations and opposition parties.

Abu Talib was said to have previously expressed support for the use of the ISA in detaining members of the opposition during the 1987 Operasi Lalang .

He was also embroiled in several other controversies, including the destruction of vital evidence of the 1989 sex scandal involving DP Vijandran, the then Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker and parliamentary secretary in the Industry and International Trade Ministry.

Meanwhile, Suhakam is facing a 100-day boycott since May 4 by 32 non-government organisations to protest the government's poor response to the commission's recommendations thus far.

Last Friday, the Bar Council also issued a statement questioning the suitability of Abu Talib's appointment.