KUALA LUMPUR – Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican should resign now that he has been named as a Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate in state elections next month, civil society groups here said.
Hasnal, an Umno grassroots leader, will be contesting the Kuang seat in Selangor in the August 12 polls, and this raises “serious questions about the commission’s independence”, CSO Platform for Reform said.
“Suhakam’s primary purpose is to safeguard the principles of accountability and respect for human rights. However, the inclusion of a political leader in Suhakam raises concerns that the commission’s function may be compromised,” the group said in a statement.
Suhakam, which is tasked with ensuring and advocating for human rights, must be free of any political and executive influence, the group added.
The potential for conflicts of interest is there as Umno is part of the ruling government, they noted.
Hasnal was appointed as a Suhakam commissioner along with the other new commissioners in the current batch in July last year.
CSO Platform for Reform also reiterated calls for tighter scrutiny of commissioners’ appointments.
“Political leaders should not be appointed to the office of commissioner to ensure Suhakam’s independence.
“CSO Platform for Reform calls upon Hasnal to uphold the integrity of Suhakam by immediately resigning from his commissioner post.”
Suhakam of late under current chairman Datuk Rahmat Mohamad for doing too little in the area of human rights. Rahmat himself is mired in controversy over allegations of racism and interference and was briefly embroiled in a defamation suit he brought against a staff until he withdrew it. – The Vibes, July 25, 2023
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