THE government is engaging in ongoing discussions to enable the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) to gain immediate access to detention facilities as part of broader efforts to strengthen its oversight and monitoring functions.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said consultations are being held with relevant agencies and stakeholders to resolve existing procedural constraints that currently delay SUHAKAM’s visits to prisons, immigration depots and police lock-ups.
“A series of discussions have been and are continuing with the relevant agencies and stakeholders. I have also been informed that a decision on the matter will be made in the near future.
“Although SUHAKAM is not currently granted immediate access to visit detention depots, it nevertheless has the authority to exercise oversight during public inquiry proceedings,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
“SUHAKAM also retains the ability to make recommendations, noting that existing mechanisms still provide elements of checks and balances” he said in response to a supplementary question from Teresa Kok (PH–Seputeh) on whether immediate access could be granted.
Kulasegaran said the government remains responsible for ensuring adequate funding to allow SUHAKAM to function independently and effectively, in line with international standards under the Paris Principles governing national human rights institutions.
He said Section 19(1) of the SUHAKAM Act 1999 provides for annual government funding, while Section 19(3) allows the commission to receive approved contributions from individuals or organisations to support human rights awareness and education activities.
However, he noted that the Act does not empower SUHAKAM to impose fees for training or related programmes to fund its operations.
He stressed that efforts to strengthen SUHAKAM will continue to ensure the commission can carry out its mandate independently, effectively and in line with international standards. - July 1, 2026
