Suhakam seeks right to make impromptu visits to detention centres

comments     Yap Mun Ching     Published     Updated

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) is seeking a review of regulations requiring commissioners to give notice before visiting detention centres because of concern that the centres may be cleaned up in anticipation of the visits.

"It is a concern. That is why we are making a recommendation for the government to amend the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act," said Suhakam chairperson Abu Talib in reponse to a question on whether there is concern that by giving notice, authorities will be alerted to the nature of commissioners' inquiries.

"We have visited one detention centre before on two or three days' notice. Everything was spick-and-span and everyone happy," he noted during a press conference at Suhakam's Human Rights and Education conference today in Kuala Lumpur.

Abu Talib clarified that the recommendations that the body submitted to the government on amendments to its Act are aimed at enabling the commission to perform its functions satisfactorily and do not necessarily entail demands for more enforcement powers.

"In practice, [enforcement authorities] have never insisted that everything be complied with if we want to visit. Nevertheless, we feel that they should not provide for these rules and regulations," he said.

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