The government will get a second and final chance to review its stand on certain recommendations made by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) through past annual and periodical reports, said a commissioner today.

Suhakam vice-chairperson Harun Hashim said the government's official feedback, obtained three months ago, would be released once "we have clarified certain parts of the document".

"We haven't decided when and in what form (this will be released), though. At the moment, we are trying to get some points clarified with the respective government departments," he said when contacted.

"Our intention is to facilitate changes and improve things. That is why we are still trying to push the government for one final round of definitive clarification on its stand pertaining to certain issues, such as law reform," he added.

Harun was commenting on whether Suhakam would release the 93-page official response compiled by the Foreign Ministry. The report is now with the commission's issue-based working groups for deliberation and to contact the respective agencies for clarification.

The document covers 25 areas including conditions of detention in prisons and police lock-ups, the Kesas highway report, rights of indigenous people in Sarawak, rights of young and remand prisoners, and the rights of the disabled.

Suhakam's silence and continued reluctance to release the feedback, the first such response since the human rights body's inception in 1999, has irked civil society groups who have demanded for more transparency.

Instruction followed

Meanwhile, Harun confirmed that Suhakam has been corresponding directly with government agencies on all official matters.

"So far, we have preserved the status quo. We are dealing directly with the relevant government agencies," he said.

In April, Suhakam received a cabinet directive to forward all requests for information from government agencies through the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Subsequently, a delegation of commissioners led by Suhakam chairperson Abu Talib Othman met with Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar in Putrajaya late last month.

"We asked the minister to clarify the cabinet directive and at the same time explained to him the consequences of such a directive on us and public confidence. In short, we placed all our cards on the table," Harun said.

"Then we urged the government to think it over carefully and from what we gather, they seem to be taking our views seriously. Now, we have to wait for the cabinet's response."

Harun said all actions by Suhakam were based on the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999.

"Such a directive will not only reflect badly on Suhakam, but it will affect the government more. As far as we are concerned, we go by the Act," he added.

The ministry has refused to divulge details or confirm if the cabinet has responded to the matter.