AT least one new Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner will hear the case of missing Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife, Ruth, next year.

Commissioner Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Salleh said Suhakam could either appoint a new panel or replace one commissioner, whose term is due to end.

“Commissioner Dr Aishah Bidin’s term will end in April. So, Suhakam will have to either replace just her or appoint a new panel.

“The reason we can’t start the public inquiry (now) is because we don’t have much time,” she said after the launch of the Suhakam annual report in Kuala Lumpur today.

Suhakam commissioners have a two-term limit, she added.

Apart from Nik Salida and Aishah, the other commissioner on the inquiry panel is Mah Weng Kwai.

Suhakam has conducted an inquiry into missing Pastor Raymond Koh and Perlis activist Amri Che Mat to ascertain if they are cases of enforced disappearance.

The inquiry into the duo’s disappearance has been closed, and Suhakam has asked police and the families’ lawyers, as well as its own officers, to present their submissions.

Nik Salida said once the submissions are in, Suhakam will evaluate them and come up with recommendations.

The recommendations will then be submitted to agencies involved in the inquiry, including police and the Immigration Department.

“Whether they act on the recommendations is beyond our scope. Sometimes, they have issues, but we will continuously engage them.

“We will work on a set of recommendations and release the report. This will be done for the Koh and Amri cases.

“We hope to have it all done by next year.” – December 18, 2018.