The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has not ruled out an inquiry into the recent racial violence in Petaling Jaya Selatan which resulted in six deaths and will only make its decision on the matter after studying various reports, Parti Reformasi Insan Malaysia (Prim) claimed today.

Prim pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar told malaysiakini that Suhakam commissioners Anuar Zainal Abidin, Prof Mohd Hamdan Adnan and Prof Mehrun Siraj had told this to the victims and their families after a meeting today. Also present were Prim members.

Uthayakumar said that the meeting was arranged for the party to hand over a letter of complaint to Suhakam following its statement on April 13 that it will not hold a public inquiry into the incident.

Anuar had said then that the commission will not be holding an inquiry into the matter as the reasons for the clashes were being investigated by other relevant government authorities.

"However, today, the commissioners clarified that they have not closed the door on any inquiries into the communal clashes. They are waiting for reports on the incident from various government agencies, the police and non-governmental organisations," said Uthayakumar.

He said that the commissioners said that they will study the reports in detail before deciding on what course of action to take next.

"However, Hamdan did say that even if Suhakam decides to hold an inquiry, the sensitive nature of the matter will make it impossible for it to be an open inquiry," he added.

Updates

Uthayakumar also said that Suhakam had written a letter to him on April 13 stating that the commission will not be holding a public inquiry 'at the moment' but will continue to look into the reasons for the Petaling Jaya Selatan violence.

The letter stated that Suhakam will be liaising with the relevant government agencies for updates on their findings into the clashes.

"Complaints in the Prim memorandum will be brought to the attention of these agencies. Suhakam will conduct its own study if it finds that the reports prepared by these agencies are unsatisfactory," Suhakam secretary Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria had said in the letter.

Prim handed a memorandum to Suhakam late last month asking the commission to investigate and initiate an urgent inquiry into attacks at Petaling Jaya Selatan.

The memorandum said that there was insufficient police protection for Indians, who were the main victims, in the affected areas.

Prejudiced

In the letter of complaint submitted today, Prim contended that the clashes in Petaling Jaya Selatan involved the "worst form of human rights violation in the history of Malaysia".

In the letter, Uthayakumar said Suhakam should "actually bend over backwards in protecting minorities as is consistent with a civil society" and also act without fear or favour.

He said that by not holding an inquiry into the clashes, Suhakam has acted in a prejudiced manner against the people of Petaling Jaya Selatan by treating them unequally and unfairly.