Madpet: Umno duo should not be part of Suhakam

Two Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) members with political links have been urged to resign.

In a statement today, Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpet) spokesperson Charles Hector (above) said this is necessary to ensure Suhakam’s independence.

Moreover, he added, Section 11A(4)(a) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 explicitly stated that “any person who is actively involved in politics and registered with any political party” is disqualified from being a member of the committee that is consulted with on the appointment of Suhakam commissioners.

Thus, he said, it is reasonable to suggest the same requirement be applied to Suhakam commissioners as well.

“Madpet calls for a truly independent and active Suhakam, that will uphold the cause of human rights and justice without fear or favour, and will bravely act and speak out even when the violator of human rights is the government, minister, or public officers,” said Hector.

Two out of the eight Suhakam commissioners are politicians - Hasnal Rezua Merican is a lawyer and Selayang Umno deputy division head, while Nazira Abdul Rahim is also a lawyer and the women’s chief of the Kulim-Bandar Baharu Umno division and Bandar Baharu municipal councillor.

The duo were selected in July this year.

Remove clause on PM

Meanwhile, Hector also urged Putrajaya to remove a clause in the law which stipulated that the prime minister has a say in the selection of Suhakam commissioners.

According to Section 5 of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999, commissioners are to be selected by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the prime minister.

“It must be noted that, often, the government and/or public officers are the alleged violators of human rights, and, as such, it is best that the appointment of commissioners is done by an independent body – not the prime minister being the head of government.

“Maybe the committee that the prime minister now needs to consult before making recommendations to the king ought to directly make the recommendations to the king with regard to the appointment of commissioners, and this committee composition itself also ought not to be determined by the prime minister,” said Hector.

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