THE Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) today said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad did it a favour by not attending its Human Rights Day celebration today.

“The prime minister has, in his own way, done us a favour.

“Because he is not here, people suddenly got more interested. So, they have come, they asked questions and showed interest in different issues,” said Suhakam chairman Razali Ismail after the event in Petaling Jaya today.

Yesterday, Dr Mahathir said he could not attend the celebration as his administration and Suhakam appeared to be at odds over the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

He said that while Putrajaya has decided not to ratify the convention, Suhakam was in favour of it.

“I decided that we will not accept ICERD and Suhakam wants to accept ICERD, so how can I go?” he said after chairing the Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting in Petaling Jaya yesterday. 

About 300 people attended Suhakam’s Human Rights Day celebration today, which was postponed from yesterday on the advice of the police as it clashed with the anti-ICERD rally in Kuala Lumpur. 

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Muhammad Ariff Md Yusof represented Dr Mahathir and officiated the programme. 

Razali also said Suhakam would continue advising the government on all matters, including ICERD and another five human rights treaties.

“We will continue advising the government on all aspects, including ICERD. Although we are disappointed, we will continue giving advice,” he said. 

Suhakam Commissioner Jerald Joseph said the role of the commission involved advising the government on policies even if their opinions on certain matters were not aligned. 

He said Suhakam would study ICERD’s provisions and the Federal Constitution as part of its advisory role, he added.

“We are convinced they do not clash; it (ICERD) is not against the Constitution or Malaysian way of life.

“The position of Malays and Bumiputera, including those in Sabah and Sarawak, would not be affected under ICERD.” – December 9, 2018.