The Malaysian Bar human rights sub-committee members met with Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) chairperson Abu Talib Othman (photo) today to discuss possible areas of cooperation.

The meeting, held at the Suhakam headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, was the first between the two bodies since the new appointments to the commission were made in April.

According to the bar human rights sub-committee chairperson Cecil Rajendra, among the issues discussed were freedom of expression, inter-religious dialogues and Orang Asli rights.

"We brought up a lot issues. It was basically an informal meeting hoping that we will lay groundwork for further cooperation on what area they can do and what area we can do and what they can't do," he said when met after the meeting.

Courtesy call

Asked whether the recent proposal to amend election laws was raised, Cecil said they did not discuss such specific issues.

"We discussed more general issues. This is our first meeting and we hope the next meeting will be a working meeting.

"This is basically like a courtesy call where we explore avenues where we can work and cooperate together," he said, adding that the two bodies will meet again next February.

Also present at the meeting today were Bar Council chairperson Mah Weng Kwai, vice-president Roy Rajasingham and secretary Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari.