THE Society for Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) would like to express our disappointment with the latest list of Suhakam commissioners in which some figures on the list were previously involved in issues that are against human rights, which reflects the politicisation of human rights in this country.
In the Suhakam Act, it is stated: “The members of the commission shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the recommendation of the prime minister who shall, before tendering his advice, consult the committee referred to in section 11A.”
While the nomination process has been initiated since it included the committee in the Suhakam Act, its transparency continues to be questioned. The recent list of Suhakam commissioners has triggered strong rejection from the human rights groups, including Suaram and CSO Platform for Reforms – of which Proham is also a member of.
Apart from the concern regarding some of the commissioners’ standpoints on human rights, Proham is also concerned with the integrity and capacity of the team.
Proham shared similar sentiments with these human rights groups and opined there is a need to reveal the complete list of applicants to the public.
This is because Suhakam commissioners have an important role to play, and the public deserves to know the representatives that the government appoint for check and balance and the promotion and protection of human rights.
With this, we would like to call upon the government to practise transparency in strengthening the existing mechanisms provided under the Suhakam Act.
We also ask the government to respond to human rights groups’ statements rather than be silent. Suhakam plays a key role in promoting and protecting human rights in the country, and the government needs to protect its independence. – The Vibes, July 4, 2022
Issued on behalf of Proham by secretary-general Khoo Ying Hooi, chair Tan Sri Michael Yeoh and deputy chair Datuk Denison Jayasooria
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