The rays of hope that human rights would improve under the stewardship of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi are beginning to flicker.

Human rights in Malaysia still appears to be in a dismal state, according to human rights watchdog Suaram.

Launching the executive summary of its civil and political rights 2005 report in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Suaram director Dr Kua Kia Soong expressed disappointment over the situation.

"Abdullah is in his third year as prime minister but his promise of democratic reforms have not been translated into real substantive change.

"Political will has been lacking, as evident in the delay of implementing the 125 recommendations of the Royal Police Commission on the police force," he said.

Lacking cabinet support?

Despite the government's pledge to reform the police force, he said, unlawful detention, abuse of detainees, corruption and other forms of misconduct remain extensive.

Asked whether Abdullah lacked the support of his cabinet to execute the reforms, Kua replied: "I would not let him off the hook by pointing at other members of the government."

"I think the prime minister really needs to have the leadership to change the human rights situation in this country... we expect more from him in his third year in office and he should make an impact, make a change, this is the third year but it's so disappointing."

To be fair, he acknowledged that 'some reforms' had taken place such as the formation of the Royal Police Commission but not implementing its recommendations in full "is not doing any good to the country".

The executive summary, which served as a report card on the human rights situation, is produced annually by Suaram in conjunction with the International Human Rights Day on Dec 10.

The full report will be published early next year.

Meanwhile, the 21-page summary noted that authorities continued to deprive individuals of their right to justice via several laws allowing for detention without trial such as the notorious Internal Security Act (ISA) and Emergency Ordinance.

Suaram coordinator Chang Lih Kang, who was also present, pointed out that the "trend of extending the detention of ISA detainees is rather worrying" when there are nine detainees - out of some 108 detainees - at present who have been detained for more than four years.

The watchdog also registered its disappointment with the government in opting for 'softer' issues such as housing and remuneration for the police while "shying away from demands" to set up an independent police watchdog and to repeal and amend repressive laws.

As for freedom of religion, Suaram said the "overzealousness of certain quarters of the authorities to regulate people's private lives in the name of religion and morality intensified in 2005" such as the infamous raid at a night club in Kuala Lumpur early this year.

"For all the government's lip service to inter-cultural understanding, efforts during the year to initiate a draft bill to establish an inter-faith commission were sabotaged by the dominant Muslim organisations including (opposition party) PAS," it pointed out.

Press freedom: No improvement

On freedom of speech, Suaram said although Malaysia's press freedom ranking, according to Reporters Sans Frontier, had improved, no substantial change was evident this year by way of repeal or amendment of laws that curb freedom of expression and press freedom.

"The media remains the main target of the government in its efforts to control freedom of expression," it said, citing as an example the government's threat in April to take action against malaysiakini over an April Fool's prank .

"Non-media actors, including writers, webmasters and bloggers have also received warnings, threats and harassment from the authorities," it added.

Suaram also criticised the government for the lack of substantial improvements, despite the various announcements, regarding refugees and asylum seekers.

The watchdog also said it was disappointed with another watchdog, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) for "refraining from commenting on key issues of human rights" in its 2004 annual report.

It also reiterated its criticism over the commission's controversial invitation to former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to address its annual conference held in conjunction with the Malaysian Human Rights Day in September, which led to boycotts by three groups including Suaram.

"Suhakam is as quirky as usual mainly because its chairperson (Abdul Talib Othman) is appointed by the government, its chairperson used to be the former attorney-general appointed by Mahathir, so it's bound to be quirky in inviting Mahathir," said Kua when commenting on this.

"It is always quirky because (commissioners are) appointed by the government and the people in Suhakam are people without a very credible human rights record so it can't defend human rights," he added.