Human rights advocacy is all about the "right people" leading such efforts, said veteran consumerist and former human rights commissioner Prof Hamdan Adnan.

"You must be bold. You cannot have leader who are only there because they like to rub shoulders with VIPs. You need people who are capable of picking up issues and constantly updating themselves," he said in an interview at his home in Sungai Buloh last week.

Asked what he thought of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) - now comprising 17 commissioners - he felt they could do more.

"(The commission is) very quiet. At least that's what I've heard from people. It cannot be limited to sending memoranda or people with authority stating that 'it's not in my purview'."

Asked if this meant a lack of commitment on the part of Suhakam head Abu Talib Othman, Hamdan said that was not the issue.

"How Suhakam turns out depends on what the government wants it to be. If the government truly intends for Suhakam to function as a separate entity, an independent body, then it should not get angry when people start saying things about Suhakam," he said.

Under its enabling legislation, Suhakam can only "duly note" any transgression of human rights, he said, and act only if the police have chosen not to handle such complaints, as initially happened with the Bloody Sunday incident on May 28.

As one of Suhakam's most outspoken commissioners, Hamdan had dealt with issues of detention under the Internal Security Act, land rights and consumer rights during his tenure. He was dropped early this year, after completing his second term.

He said any move towards a fully independent body would mean that Suhakam would have a natural predisposition to question authority.

"They (government heads) should look at themselves, ask whether they are fit to be there," he noted.

Hamdan, who has retired from his teaching post at Universiti Teknology Mara, also stressed that such views were those of the public.

"My view is that of an individual, not so important. But it is sad (after my departure from Suhakam) to hear more of the same things when people approach me, asking for help," he said.

He said his advice to such people is to "continue to try some more" even when their complaints have fallen on deaf ears.

"The best that they can do is to let the government know that they're not happy," he noted.

On the media role

Hamdan also noted that the government had been over-playing its hand in trying to curb media coverage of human rights abuses.

There are many avenues for leakages of information to occur today, so any attempt to downplay an issue would be counter-productive, he said.

"You'd only make a fool of yourself....In any case, a government that fears criticism will be seen has having something to hide."

Hamdan also said there is growing worry among economists that human rights abuses would undermine economy growth.

"Citizens should know, as we knew, that when people come to invest in a country, they look at its human rights record," he said.

Hamdan, who is advisor to the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations and Era Konsumer, also said Malaysians have a long way to go in protecting their rights as consumers.

"Consumers must take the trouble to be better informed. They don't even read the (product) labels any more," said Hamdan.

He said there is a need for more programmes on consumer affairs and for the media to play its role in educating the public.

"Of late, the government has been inactive when it comes to consumer rights. When you check the (ministry) website, there is no useful information, except to state who is the minister and deputy minister."

He said the highest number of complaints received in the first six month were about the hike in petrol price and manipulation of sugar supplies.

Future in politics?

Asked if he has political ambitions, Hamdan said 'No', at least for the time being.

"I'm a long time member of Umno... but I'm also open to other parties. I've always been driven to help people. So if people come to me asking for help, I should not care if they are from the opposition or (are) 'anti-government'. One should not be blinded by party (polemics)."

Hamdan said senior leaders of Parti Keadilan Rakyat had sounded out his father on the matter.

"They asked my father if I want 'to serve'. My father told them that I would make a bad candidate. He said I was as likely to anger them as I would the government," he said with a laugh.

Hamdan is currently working on books on the civil service and politics, and the state of human rights in Malaysia.