CIVIL rights groups must continue pushing Putrajaya on reforms even though the government has changed, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas told activists today.

“I think all of you have become complacent after May 9 and are expecting the government or the A-G to perform miracles. 

“My call is for all of you to carry on the struggle to say that the journey has just started but there are still a lot of issues that need to be brought up,” he said at the launch Suara Rakyat Malaysia’s (Suaram) 2018 annual human rights report in Kuala Lumpur today. 

The government should be questioned on issues, such as ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and the Rome Statute, Thomas said, adding that his role is as the government’s legal adviser.

“As far as ICERD and the Rome Statute are concerned, there are no legal impediments to either of them. 

“My job is to advise the government on legal matters. But it is a political decision that was made by the cabinet.

“(Rights groups) should go and ask them why are they not implementing the manifesto,” he said.

Thomas said civil rights groups should engage with ministers for their position on issues.

“There are four more years to the next general election. So, catch the politicians like Gobind Singh Deo (Communications and Multimedia Minister) and M. Kulasegaran (Human Resources Minister).

“They were lawyers and now they are in government. We must carry on knocking on their doors.

“Ask them why are they are delaying making reforms. Because all reforms comes from the cabinet.”

Thomas said while the government had made some progress there is still much to do. 

“We made strides, but that is not enough.  There are still a lot of things to be done in the next four years. 

“The difference we make today compared to yesterday is that you have a ready audience and there is no climate of fear.   

“In last 13 months Malaysia is a much freer country, there is so much more space for engagement. At least we can acknowledge that.” – May 28, 2019.