KUALA LUMPUR – The government is set to table the Malaysian Human Rights Commission’s (Suhakam) 2020 Annual Report in the ongoing parliamentary sitting, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said mentioned in her written reply yesterday.
Meanwhile, the 2021 Annual Report will be tabled in the third sitting which is expected to begin in November.
As for Suhakam’s 2022 Annual Report, Azalina said once the report is finalised, it will be presented to the cabinet.
“To ensure transparency in tackling issues pertaining to human rights in Malaysia, the unity government is committed to ensuring Suhakam’s annual reports are presented in Parliament.
“This is in line with the provisions provided for in the Statutory Bodies (Accounts and Annual Reports) Act 1980,” Azalina said.
The Pengerang MP was replying to a written parliamentary question by Chow Yu Hui (Raub-PH) about whether Putrajaya is ready to table and debate Suhakam’s annual reports for 2020, 2021, and 2022.
According to news reports last year, 11 human rights non-governmental organisations demanded an explanation from the government over the failure to table Suhakam’s annual reports in Parliament.
Pointing towards Section 21(1) of the Human Rights Commission Act 1999, Suhakam’s annual reports must be presented to Parliament no later than the first parliamentary sitting of the following year. – The Vibes, May 23, 2023
