MALAYSIA can learn how to respect human rights by being on the United Nations Human Rights Council from 2022 to 2024, said P. Ramasamy.

“I wonder how Malaysia was admitted to the council and on what basis, because its record on human rights is dismal, if not pathetic.

“Maybe there is a subtle intention on the part of the council to bring in members with bad records so they can learn from experience of being council members.”

The Penang deputy chief minister II said local institutions are so steeped in racism and religious extremism that they have become institutionalised.

“If a government cannot even have basic respect for its citizens just because they are ethnically and religiously different, then what human rights you are talking about?

“It serves no purpose to talk about human rights if a country like Malaysia has such a rotten record of human rights.”

Ramasamy said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob should be questioned about human rights in Malaysia if there is an opportunity for him to address the council in future.

“Malaysia is one country that has strictly adhered to the colonial policy of divide and rule.

“It makes no sense to talk about human rights in a country where one ethnic community is pitted against another to ensure the reins of power will be in the hands of racist and religious zealots.”

Ismail Sabri had in a Facebook post yesterday announced that Malaysia has won one of the 18 seats on the council with 183 votes.

“Malaysia’s success in taking a seat on the council is a great achievement and recognition on the status of human rights,” he said, congratulating everyone on the achievement.

He said the country is ready to play an active role, and “to be the facilitator for conciliation, enabler for cooperation and builder of consensus”. – October 16, 2021.