The recently established Human Rights Commission's first task should be to investigate the violations of speech and press freedom in Malaysia, said an opposition leader today.

DAP chairman Lim Kit Siang said in a statement that "the commission should get down to work on the widespread complaints of violations of freedom of expression and the press."

He suggested the commission to advise and assist the government on whether PAS newspaper Harakah should be reduced into a bimonthly from a biweekly, popular bi-monthly magazine Detik be banned, and all newspapers and regular publications required to obtain annual licences.

"The commission should recommend that the government ratify all international human rights instruments on the freedom of expression and the press and to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the violations of freedom of expression and the press," said Lim.

He also referred to a recent report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Opinion and Expression Abid Hussain which indicated that freedom of opinion in Malaysia is "systematically curtailed" and the press is "muzzled".

To illustrate his point, Lim noted that there was a blackout of adverse and critical reactions to establishment of the commission.

Lim quoted the recent statement made by Aliran president P. Ramakrishnan who had questioned the credentials of the commission's members although it showed "an impressive array of names".

"Several non-governmental organisations who have monitored and reported on human rights abuses for years and who have made it their business to be the watchdog of human rights are not represented in the commission," Ramakrishnan was quoted in a malaysiakini report [#1] "Expand rights commission's powers"[/#] (April 3).

According to Lim, one can agree or disagree with any unfavourable comments about the establishment of the commission but the fact that they are blacked out in the mainstream media highlights the grave human rights violation problem.

Lim added that under Human Rights Commission Act, the commission has the authority to act on its own initiative without the need to wait for a specific complaint.