The government's promotion of a free press has helped Malaysia win a seat on the newly created United Nations Human Rights Council.

Malaysia is among 47 countries elected by the organisation's general assembly yesterday to sit on the council, which was set up to replace the discredited Commission for Human Rights often accused of protecting errant governments.

Other countries elected to the council include China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Britain and France. [See full list]

In its April 28 campaign manifesto, or 'aide memoire', which details Malaysia's pledges and commitments, the government underscored its role in "promotion of a free media, including in cyberspace, as well as the encouragement of vibrant and active civil society".

The government also said that its respect for human rights was "clearly manifested in the fact that free, fair and peaceful general elections have been held consistently without fail since independence."

It also cited its role in establishing the Malaysian Human Rights Commission, or Suhakam.

"Suhakam monitors human rights developments in Malaysia and is entrusted inter alia with powers to investigate complaints regarding alleged human rights violations.

"Over and above its investigative function, Suhakam is also active in promoting a culture of human rights, particularly through education not only in schools but also within government institutions, such as the police force."

Opposition to candidacy

According to the government, it has also sought to fulfill its responsibilities with regard to economic, social and cultural rights.

"As an example of this commitment, the Malaysian government has consistently allocated the largest proportion of the annual budget to education.

"Having achieved many of the goals set out in terms of primary education, the government is now endeavouring to expand the tertiary education system, not only as a means of strengthening the right to education but also to better equip Malaysians to meet the challenges posed by globalisation."

It added that the government was fully aware that good governance, integrity in the public sector and transparency in the government's activities are essential if the goals of full enjoyment of human rights are to be achieved.

It said that its National Integrity Plan, launched two years ago, among others to combat and reduce corruption and abuse of power, would go some way in meeting its goals.

The UN hopes the new Human Rights Council would help serve to overcome growing problems of perception associated with the dissolved commission in addressing human rights issues.

However, human rights groups have expressed opposition to Malaysia being selected to sit in the council as the government had failed to ink a raft of international human rights treaties.

The government has also yet to implement the recommendations made by the UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression when he visited Malaysia in 1998, and to allow the visits requested by other top UN officials investigating the rights of migrant workers and indigenous peoples.