Delayed Suhakam palace probe finds no abuse

The Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) found no evidence of abuse against the migrant workers at the new royal palace constructions site.

However, the commission did not discount the possibility that abuses could have occurred, as the inspection was not conducted immediately.

"We went to investigate the report of non-payment of salary, but were unable to actually get reliable information because the inspection was so delayed.

"We will write to the relevant agencies to facilitate such future inspections without delays," said commissioner Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah today.

The human rights watchdog was finally allowed into the construction site last Thursday, after getting the green light from the Works Ministry.

They had prior to that been barred from entering by the contractors, who claimed that it was a secured area.

According to Muhammad Sha'ani, the inspection took place during the day while the workers were at work because they were not allowed in during the night.

"We interviewed a few workers very quickly and they said there was no problem," he said.

However, he added the subcontractors could not vouch for sure if the kepala (supervisor) had actually paid the workers.

"The kepala can disappear or pay the workers less and the subcontractors wouldn't know," he said.

The commission also frowned upon the practice of subcontracting as it "opens up opportunity for abuse".

"At the first level of subcontracting, there were already over 80 subcontractors. There was up to five tiers of subcontractors," he said, adding that this was a typical problem in the construction industry.

Subcontractors seek Suhakam's defence

Asked about the living conditions of the workers, the commissioner said that eight to 10 workers slept in container cabins, and had access to common bathrooms and cooking facilities.

They, however, could not ascertain the number of workers based on the site, with subcontractors estimating about 400 people.

The commission also did not find any children on site, as alleged by the lawyers representing the workers.

"The information does not allow us to move further, so we are urging the lawyers and any other parties to come forward with any information," he said.

He added that the commission's inspection also turned into "a memorandum-submission ceremony" as several subcontractors greeted Suhakam and requested that the commission "defend their rights".

The subcontractors also put up banners which read " Star dan  Malaysiakini memfitnah subkontraktor!" ( Star and Malaysiakini slander subcontractors!) and " Suhakam perlu bela kontraktor yang dizalimi " (Suhakam must defend contractors who have been wronged).

When contacted, lawyer Latheefa Koya, who is representing some of the migrant workers, said that her clients are still living in deplorable conditions.

"They have been paid their wages, but as of this evening, they said nothing has changed.

"They still get contaminated drinking water and they indicated that there are at least 20 children living there," she said.