Human rights commissioner Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah unexpectedly turned political when he reminded several complainants on the socio-economic impact of their votes.

suhakam memo shaani sha'ani 170412 Receiving complaints from three groups at the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, he attributed such problems to the fact that the people repeatedly vote certain parties into power.

“Your problems of a loss of livelihood, land grab and abandoned projects also affect the Orang Asli (in Peninsular Malaysia) and in many cases in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

“Freedom to vote is your right. If you are nostalgic about a certain party and keep returning (its candidates), then you deserve the government that is in power (and which) may (abuse) your interests.”

NONE The complaints were submitted to Suhakam by residents of from Pengerang , Johor, who are affected by an oil refinery project in the area; residents of Kampung Serampang Indah , Negeri Sembilan who claim they are victims of a land grab; and a group of distressed house buyers from Tomoi, Johor.

Forty representatives of the three groups, coordinated by PAS central committee member Mazlan Aliman, went to Suhakam in the hope that it would probe their problems.

They also hope that the commission will back them in raise their grievances with the UN.

‘Rubber-stamp Parliament’

Muhammad Sha’ani told the group that taking their issues to the UN would be futile because Malaysia has not ratified many international treaties that may have an effect on their complaints.

suhakam memo shaani sha'ani 170412 He then said that the system of governance has failed in Malaysia.

“In this audience, there are members of political parties from both sides of the political divide. There are Umno members, PAS members, MIC, MCA, Keadilan members. We may vote differently, but are harmonious on these issues of deprivation and loss of rights," he said.

“Unlike other countries where the Parliament decides on the rectification of international treaties and conventions, the cabinet here decides on such matter without input by a rubber-stamp Parliament.

“It is always a very top-down affair and the voice of the people is not reaching the top.”

He said he is keen to visit all sites mentioned by the complainants, but that this would have to be first discussed at a commission meeting.

Prior to his appointment as commissioner, Muhammad Sha’ani had been a vocal as a leader of the consumer movement.

He had variously served as CEO of the National Consumer Complaints Centre; secretary-general of the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations; and president of the Pahang Association of Consumers.