The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) said today that it will be scrutinising the government's effort in implementing its recommendations and will report its findings to Parliament.

"It will then be up to the members of parliament to question the government on whether the recommendations are implemented," commissioner Mehrun Siraj told reporters after releasing its report on the inquiry into the aborted 100,000 People's Gathering on the Kesas Highway last November.

Mehrun was responding to questions on how the commission would be able to 'persuade' the authorities to follow through with its recommendations.

Suhakam today produced a scathing report accusing the police of violating human rights after a four-month inquiry into the police crackdown against pro-reformasi supporters during the Nov 5 gathering.

However, Mehrun stressed that the 16-month commission does not have enforcement power, but only recommendatory powers.

"There are human rights courts in certain countries that allow human rights to be enforced but I don't think that Malaysia is in a state that warrants for one," Mehrun said.

The powers of Suhakam have become a serious bone of contention with civil society groups demanding more wide-ranging powers for the commission, while the government has often criticised the organisation for over-stepping its boundaries.

Not anti-establishment

Fellow commissioner Anuar Zainal Abidin contended that the commission has acted in accordance with its power spelt out in the Human Rights Commission Act, which was passed by Parliament in 1999.

"We have to work within the framework of the Act but if the public thinks that measures should be taken to remedy the inadequacies of the Act, that is a different matter.

"As far as we are concerned, we are doing our work, and we are doing our work within the Act," Anuar said.

Anuar also disagreed with the view that Suhakam was an anti-establishment body, claiming that the commission would take action whenever there are reports of human rights violations.

"The basic principle that we are coming in is to see if there have been violations of human rights. If there are, and it is supported by facts, we need proofs. We are not on either side," he said.

Mehrun also added that it is misleading to accuse Suhakam as being anti-government, adding that the body only wanted good for the country.

"We are not against the government. We are just trying to suggest ways of improving the situation, and whatever we do is for the good image of the country as a whole," Mehrun said.

Bracing for criticisms

She said Suhakam would expect criticisms of its latest report, but added that it would take this in stride.

"When you are in public office, you have to expect criticisms and no matter what you do, there will always be people who are dissatisfied.

"You have to take it in stride and you have to see if they are valid (criticisms). If we have made mistakes, we will adjust ourselves and if not, then let it be. There is no need to get excited over criticisms," she said.

The report, which was released today after a landmark inquiry into allegations of police brutality in the aborted gathering, will be sent to Parliament soon.

The first of its kind in Malaysia, the inquiry was chaired by Anuar and he was assisted by Mehrun and fellow commissioner Simon Sipaun.

A total of 46 witnesses were called, including six police officers, Keadilan vice-president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, two opposition parliamentarians and a 17-year-old student.