Progress towards achieving human rights in Malaysia has been so "minuscule that it's really not worth mentioning at all - it's so embarrassing", according to former commissioner Simon Sipaun.

The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) had made hundreds of recommendations and proposals to the federal government on improving the situation, but the documents are simply gathering dust in Putrajaya.

"It's unfortunate that none of our efforts were recognised," said the former vice-chairperson, noting that the thankless task was made worse by a federal government that does not appreciate Suhakam's work.

police abuse suhakam pc 050808 simon sipaun Simon (right) had put in an unprecedented five terms as vice-chairperson until his tenure ended on April 23. The recently-amended Suhakam Act only allows two terms of three years each for a commissioner, in line with UN requirements.

Ten years down the road, Simon said he detects greater awareness of human rights but not of its importance in Malaysia.

He attributed this anomaly to the lack of a culture of respect for human rights not only within the government but among the political parties in the ruling coalition and the general populace.

As a case in point, he said: "If you are a nobody, say from the kampung, poor and illiterate, more often than not you are not given due attention."

".... It will be the supreme insult the day that no one approaches Suhakam with their complaints or turns up at its public hearings."

Simon pointed to religion as one aspect where the government should not legislate as freedom of religion is enshrined in the federal constitution.

"As a non-Muslim I am free to wake up tomorrow and change my religion. But the moment I become a Muslim, or it's decided that I am a Muslim, that's the end of my freedom."

sabah He expressed worry that many non-Muslims in Sabah have been declared Muslims by the relevant authorities just because they have a Muslim-sounding name or a bin (son of) or binte (daughter of) in their name.

In Sabah and among the Melanau in Sarawak, it is common among non-Muslims to use these terms rather than anak (child of) as elsewhere in Sarawak, or anak lelaki (son of) and anak perempuan (daughter of) as in Peninsular Malaysia.

Advisory role ‘effective'

Simon disagreed, however, that Suhakam should be disbanded since it appears to be a waste of public funds involving RM9 million a year.

"We should be hopeful despite the circumstances we are in now. Perhaps the next generation will be able to achieve what we have failed to do. No government rules forever," he said.

He also clarified that Suhakam has been effective in its advisory role to the federal government.

Simon was appointed to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Advisory Panel last February.