Changes to Suhakam Act to clarify grey areas, not to give clout: Abu Talib

comments     Claudia Theophilus     Published     Updated

The proposed amendments to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Act 1999 are to clarify the ambiguities in certain provisions, and not to ask for more clout for the human rights watchdog.

"The proposed amendments were never intended to seek enforcement powers for Suhakam, but to clarify certain provisions which are ambiguous," Suhakam chief Abu Talib Othman told reporters when met at his office after a closed-door meeting with DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang earlier today.

"It is not appropriate for me to reveal details of the proposals now, but suffice to say that the draft amendment was sent to the government recently," he added.

He said it is up to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which was responsbile for the creation of the commission, to consider the proposals and act on it.

Last year, Abu Talib's predecessor Musa Hitam announced that amendments were being proposed to add more clout to the body, specifically to have more enforcement powers and not just being a recommending agency.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters after the 90-minute meeting, Lim said he had raised several issues including Suhakam's changed stand on the Internal Security Act (ISA), the delay in the tabling of the 2001 annual report, and reforms in the police force and judiciary.

"I urged Suhakam to ensure that anti-terrorism measures, including preventive detention laws such as the ISA, are not used to stifle political dissent as is the case now.

"I also raised the issue over Suhakam's lack of commitment towards press freedom and freedom of speech, and pointed out that it has a legal responsibility to all Malaysians to deal with both the freedoms," he said.

Feedback

On Suhakam's 2001 annual report, Lim said it will be a good opportunity for the government and the public to give feedback on what has been done with regard to human rights protection.

"It is a good occasion for the government to give its feedback on the annual report, otherwise the report will become meaningless.

"For example, when the 2000 annual report was tabled last year, we didn't know what the government's views on Suhakam were."

Lim also raised the need for systemic reforms in the police force, prison and the judiciary, where he said the police in particular have become the "biggest violators of human rights instead of being protectors."

Lim said he had also suggested that Suhakam establish a new working group for the independence of the judiciary.

Fruitful

Describing his discussion with Lim as "fruitful", Abu Talib said he had explained to Lim that Suhakam can only act in accordance with its legal powers and not take on enforcement duties.

"We don't want to have too many enforcement agencies in the system."

This was Lim's first meeting with the newly appointed Suhakam chief since he took office in April.



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