One loses nothing by embracing human rights, says Suhakam chief

Alfian Z.M. Tahir Alfian Z.M. Tahir Updated 7 years ago · Published on 9 Dec 2018 11:36AM · 5 Comments

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia chairman Razali Ismail says human rights and religion are intertwined. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 9, 2018.

NOTHING is lost or taken away when one embraces human rights, which is taught and applied by every peace-loving religion in the world, said Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman Razali Ismail today.

He said even though some perceived human rights to be a threat to their faith, human rights and religion were in fact intertwined.

“Human rights are often regarded as a threat to religion but this is not true, this misunderstanding must be corrected,” he said on Human Rights Day, today.

“Islam is a religion that accentuates dignity, and that is what human rights are for, for everyone to have equality and respect .”

The former president of the United Nations General Assembly said observing human rights would not take away any special rights enjoyed by certain quarters in the country as the rights are protected under the Federal Constitution.  

He stressed that no society could claim to be multi racial if doors to discrimination were left open.

“When we talk about human rights I know many of us are worried about our special privileges being taken away.

“We must never fear that because in our federal constitution, the rights and privileges are clearly stated and guarded.”

Razali Ismail with Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusoff (left) at Suhakam's 2018 Human Rights Day celebration in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 9, 2018.

He appeared to be aiming his speech at the Muslims and Malays opposed to the ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

Tens of thousands of rightwing Malays yesterday gathered to protest against the convention in the belief that its ratification would jeopardise Malay rights and Islam.

Razali affirmed Suhakam would continue to uphold the constitution and safeguard the Rukun Negara even though there are quarters who would accuse the human rights body of being a tool serving Western agenda.

“When we decided to change for a new Malaysia, we decided to vote against a bad government. We decided to reject corruption.

“Corruption and abuse of power and many more wrongdoings are human rights abuses. What we did on that historic day together as Malaysians, whether we realise it or not, was to stand up for human rights.”

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusoff representing Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad launched the event today.

The Suhakam event was postponed from yesterday to today on the advice of police, due to it clashing with a massive anti-human rights rally yesterday. – December 9, 2018.

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Comments

  • You can talk till RVW knows how to wakes up nothing will change. The Malay race will only move forward when they are properly educated and be learned by effective education system and not by politics and religion.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight". Razali's lone voice is just like that of prophet Isaiah. Icerd has been twisted by PAS and UMNO beyond reason.

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • Tan Sri ... youre part of the establishment before and youre part of the problem. And I am not excluding Tun M and even Anwar from the blame as they had the opportunity to stop the rot but persisted to divide and rule. We are now reaping the seeds that we have sown for many years. It will take years to undo what has become the fabric of our society

    Posted 7 years ago by NA Bayezid · Reply

    • Right now he is on this side BUT if placed him back to the other side where the 2Rs / 3Rs are calling he will be spewing the same incendiary speeches. All over the hill politicians needs to be replaced and a radical change to a better education system devoid of race and religion will only see the current young crops helming the country in futre for the betterment of all. This will only take effect in 35 years time if it starts from now and if the country is still there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Talk nonsense, Razali. If you want to talk sense, can you talk to your uneducated, backward and brainwashed Melayu cousins in UMNO and PAS especially their stupid leader, Hadi. Otherwise we are tired of listening to your bullshit on human rights. There is no human rights in Melayu mindset. Let this country rot to abyss then baru these fake Melayu will all return back to Indonesia or Bangladesh.

    Posted 7 years ago by Jackal Way · Reply