3 new Suhakam commissioners named amid delay concerns

Summary

• Three new Suhakam commissioners have been appointed following a period where only three positions were filled, raising concerns over the commission’s capacity.

• The appointments include two new children commissioners and a chief children commissioner.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has appointed three people as Suhakam commissioners, after seven of the existing commissioners recently completed their terms.

The three new appointees are Al Adib Samuri, Zufar Yadi Brendan Abdullah, and Melissa Akhir, with the appointments being backdated to June 28.

Al Adib and Zufar are simultaneously appointed as children commissioners, while an existing Suhakam commissioner, Farah Nini Dusuki is appointed as chief children commissioner until the end of her remaining term on March 8 next year.

“(These appointments) reflect the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the protection and promotion of children’s rights in Malaysia.

“Suhakam is confident that the experience, expertise, and unwavering dedication of the new commissioners will enhance the commission’s efforts to safeguard the rights and well-being of all children, including those who are undocumented and in conflict with the law,” Suhakam said in a statement today.

Only 3 remaining

Previously, Malaysiakini reported that Suhakam only has three commissioners remaining, namely: Farah, Tengku Fauzi Hamid, and Suhakam chairperson Hishamudin Yunus.

This is after seven Suhakam commissioners completed their three-year terms, while new appointments were still pending Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s approval.

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 caps the size of the commission at 20 members, but does not specify a minimum size. Each member serves a three-year term, and can be reappointed once for another three years.

Nevertheless, Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpet) representative Charles Hector had voiced concerns on June 16 over the lack of announcements regarding commissioners who will serve the 2025 to 2028 term.

“We do not want a recurrence of 2022, where Suhakam had no chairperson and commissioners after the term of the chairperson and commissioners ended on April 27 - the new commissioners were appointed more than two months later on June 22,” he said.

Support, enhance institutional responses

Suhakam had told Malaysiakini last month that it is continuing to perform its core functions despite having only three commissioners at the time.

Suhakam said Farah is previously a child commissioner, as well as an academic at Universiti Malaya’s law faculty, and has over 32 years of experience in child rights and human rights.

Al Adib hails from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and specialises in child rights within the Islamic legal framework.

Zufar is a member of the Sarawak Social Development Council, and has 38 years of experience in social research, policy, and community development in the state.

Melissa has over 20 years of experience in law and protection across Southeast Asia, and previously served as a deputy public prosecutor at the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

“Suhakam hopes that these appointments and designations will support and enhance institutional responses to key child rights issues, particularly in ensuring access to quality education, robust child protection mechanisms, and a just and rehabilitative juvenile justice system,” it said.

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