The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) said calling human rights a threat to Islam was regrettable, and reminded the government it has a duty to fully protect the rights of all.

"Suhakam regrets that the concept of human rights has been misperceived as a form of new threat to Islam in which its core beliefs are based on 'humanism, secularism as well as liberalism'," said its chairperson Hasmy Agam in a statement last night.

However he did not mention any specific cases, although Prime Minister Najib Razak did raise eyebrows this week warning Muslims of the alleged dangers of " human-rightism ".

Many pro-government groups have also been demonising champions of human rights, in particular the coalition of NGOs Comango , as being anti-Islam.

"While the commission recognises that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, it regrets that the universality concept of human rights has yet again been misperceived as ‘deviant’ values that are confined to the promotion of the right to freedom of religion or belief as well as the rights of the LGBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) groups in the context of rights claims.

"Suhakam deems it important for all stakeholders to understand that human rights are the inherent rights and freedom to which all human beings are entitled, regardless of race, religion, sex, language, and any other status.

"It is the primary role of the state to ensure that human rights are fully enjoyed by its peoples without discrimination," said Hasmy.

He said such "growing misperception about the concept of human rights" will harm the nation's international standing in terms of human rights and hinder the country's vision of a developed nation status by 2020.

'Gov't must be consistent'

Meanwhile Najib in apparent about turn yesterday posted a three-line statement on his blog affirming the "government is committed to the principles and values of human rights" and that it subscribes to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

However the PM did not comment on how this stood with his comments on "human-rightism" made in Kuantan on Tuesday night.

Hasmy in a follow up statement this afternoon said Najib's ( left ) clarification in the blog posting is welcome, but reminded the government not to "confuse" the public by delivering "clear and consistent" messages on human rights issues.

"The commission appreciates the challenges facing the country's leadership in addressing human rights issues in a pluralistic society.

"However, in order to avoid any possible confusion and to ensure the country’s credibility internationally, Suhakam deems it important for the government to deliver a clear and consistent message with regard to human rights at all times, particularly in addressing different segments of our multi-cultural and multi-religious nation," said Hasmy.