The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) wants the government to loosen its leash so that the watchdog could sink its teeth effectively into issues.

In view of this, it will propose that amendments be made to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 to accord the watchdog with quasi-judicial powers.

Commissioner Prof Mohd Hamdan Adnan said some human rights commissions in other parts of the world have such powers allowing them to function better.

"This is quite important and it will enable us to make an impact in the courts," he said after meeting a delegation from DAP at the Suhakam headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

At present, the commission is only empowered to act as an advisory body to the government.

However, Suhakam's top dog Abu Talib Othman appears to be rather comfortable with the leash.

In a recent interview with an English daily, Abu Talib, when asked if the commission should be accorded greater powers, replied: "Human rights is about respect for the human being and should not be forced onto anybody".

The former attorney-general said this was his personal view.

Recommendations unheeded

Suhakam has always been crticised by various quarters as being a rather timid watchdog since most of its recommendations to the government are never implemented.

Since its inception in 1999, none of its annual reports have been debated in the Parliament despite numerous attempts to do so by opposition parliamentarians.

Meanwhile, Mohd Hamdan said the commission will also propose another amendment to expand the 'very limited' definition of human rights here.

"It is basically confined to Part II of the Federal Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights only. We want to extend it to the rights that we can look into," he added

According to him, this is not the first time that the commission has asked for greater powers.

In 2002, Suhakam had urged the government to amend the act but there was no positive response, he said.

The latest proposals are expected to be forwarded to the government by next year. Suhakam is currently under the purview of the deputy premier's office.

The issue of greater powers was raised by DAP Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen during this morning's meeting.

His party colleagues also aired their concern about Suhakam's recommendations falling on deaf ears thus bridling its effectiveness.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who led the 13-member delegation, emphasised on the necessity for the government to comply with the recommendations.

If the scenario does not change, he said Suhakam will become nothing more than a 'public complaints bureau'.

Among the recommendations that have gone unheeded, he cited the call to review the Internal Security Act, monitor the campus elections and curbing police abuses.

"We are very disappointed with what Suhakam has achieved but we will still stand with Suhakam and hope the commission continues to breathe," he said.