With less than a week left to his retirement as National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairperson, Hasmy Agam has two major duties left to fulfil.

After having written two letters to the government, Hasmy today said he would be making one last official request for Suhakam’s budget to be reinstated.

In Budget 2016, Suhakam saw its fundings being slashed by almost half, from slightly over RM10 million that it received last year.

Hasmy had warned since last November that Suhakam may find itself in the red this year, and he once again reiterated the need to urgently secure more fundings.

“I am sending the letter before I leave and I hope that the government will make a decision before June.

“I will make it a point to request (for more funds) to the treasurer-general…If we are in the red, we cannot move,” Hasmy said at the launch of Suhakam’s 2015 annual report.

He added that a decision announced later than June would hamper Suhakam’s ability to not only cover its operation costs, but also to execute programmes planned for this year.

Aside from seeking more funds, Hasmy must also decide on the appointment of new commissioners to replace him, and three others – Suhakam vice-chairperson Khaw Lake Tee, commissioner James Nayagam and commissioner Mahmood Zuhdi.

“I am hopeful that the decision will be made before I leave but the (official) announcement, I don’t know (when),” he said.

The 2013-2016 term for Suhakam commissioners will officially end on April 25.

Hasmy said the selection process would ultimately require the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s royal ascent, on the advice of the prime minister.

In its end-of-term report, Hasmy said among Suhakam’s achievements over the last three years was being re-accredited with ‘A’ status by the Paris-based International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

“We went through the (accreditation) review process with some apprehension, largely due to the budget cut,” Hasmy said.

Furthermore, Suhakam had also embarked on a nationwide survey concerning rights to health and health care in prison, as well as conducting a study on deaths in police custody.

The findings of the survey and study were also compiled in two separate reports released today.