KUALA LUMPUR – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has again called for the government to ensure that it receives adequate funding and afforded the necessary powers so that the promotion and protection of human rights in Malaysia can be carried out effectively.
In addition, Suhakam has recently undergone the re-accreditation process by the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of the National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).
“The SCA reminded that adequate funding should, to a reasonable degree, ensure gradual and progressive realisation of the improvement of the institution’s operations and the fulfilment of its mandate.
“It also stated that the NHRI has been designated with additional responsibilities by the state, additional financial resources should be provided to enable it to assume the responsibilities of discharging these functions,” it said in a statement.
The state was also in reference to a lawmaker, who, on November 22, raised the issue of the commission’s budget allocation. It was reported that Suhakam is currently addressing a wider range of increasingly complex human rights issues in the country.
In April 2019, the government had appointed a dedicated children’s commissioner as part of its initiative to protect the rights of children.
Suhakam also said that it is working closely with the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department to amend Suhakam Act 1999 with regard to its capacity as an independent NHRI and to ensure that its annual report will be debated in Parliament.
“Suhakam is of the view that it is crucial for MPs to critically discuss human rights issues of public interest in Malaysia and propose possible solutions to these issues.
“This is especially so since Putrajaya has pledged to prioritise human rights in its application and subsequent election as a member to the United Nations’ Human Rights Council (HRC) for the 2022-2024 term,” it said. – The Vibes, December 1, 2021
