The decision to transfer the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) from the jurisdiction of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to that of the Prime Minister's Department is still lacking in detail but there may be mixed blessings in the move.

Suhakam commissioner Prof Hamdan Adnan said it could signify a higher priority being placed on the commission's work.

"The PM's Department seems a more senior place compared to the Foreign Affairs Ministry. It could mean that the government is more serious about Suhakam and that it will be more effective because it is closer to the prime minister," he said when contacted today.

However, he cautioned that the close connection to the premier who is also the home minister could also raise issues over Suhakam's independence.

"There could be contradiction if Suhakam is placed too closely to the police. But to maintain Suhakam's independence, the law would have to be followed," he said.

The decision to transfer oversight of Suhakam to the PM's Department was made on Saturday, when Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the new cabinet line-up . This expanded the number of ministries from 25 to 28.

Former S46 man

Hamdan said the effect of the transfer would also depend on the minister under whom Suhakam is placed.

He said no details have been provided as yet by the government but one likely candidate could be Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, the newly-appointed Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of legal affairs.

"The prime minister may be looking for someone with a background in human rights or the law. Mohd Radzi was a practising lawyer," he said.

However, he added that the minister's past record on human rights matters was a chequered one.

"He (once) went on a road show in support of a proposal to hang drug addicts," said Hamdan.

Mohd Radzi was an unexpected appointee to the cabinet, having been left out of government line-ups since the 1987 Umno split when he departed to join splinter party Semangat 46.

Some of the posts that he held prior to his departure included the office of deputy minister in the Home and the Primary Industries Ministries.

The son of former Perlis Menteri Besar, the late Sheikh Ahmad Mohd Hashim, Mohd Radzi left Semangat 46 to rejoin Umno in October 1990.

Constructive criticism

Meanwhile, in addition to the new reporting structure, Hamdan said the transfer could also have implications on whether the present crop of Suhakam commissioners would be retained for another two-year term.

The current term of the Suhakam commissioners, including that of its chairperson Abu Talib Othman, is due to expire on April 24.

Previously, there had been indications from the government that some members of the commission may be replaced to make way for other individuals.

According to Hamdan, the Foreign Affairs Ministry may have already decided on whether to renew the terms of the commissioners or to replace some of them with new faces.

"The ministry will have certain names in mind but the new people in charge may have other ideas. Whether the public will have confidence in Suhakam or think of it as window dressing will depend on whom they choose," he said.

The commissioner said the responsibility of the new crop of commissions would be all the more important given the overwhelming mandate won by the premier and his administration in last week's general election .

"Right now, the media is praising the government sky high but this could be a problem because we always need constructive criticism. Otherwise, there is a risk that some issues could be marginalised," he added.