IT is unacceptable for Putrajaya to leave the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) “dead” without any new commissioners for a month, civil society groups said.

Eight human rights groups in a joint statement said it was a sign of government failure when human rights are neglected.

“Without any human rights commissioners, Suhakam cannot play the vital role it has been playing in Malaysia.

“It can make no statements, recommendations to the government or hold public inquiries. Human rights suffer,” said the statement.

“It is an embarrassment for Suhakam to find itself in a comatose state by reason of failure of the government to ensure that Suhakam always have commissioners.”

Without any more delay, commissioners must be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the recommendation of the prime minister, it said.

The tenure of the previous commissioners ended on April 26.

The choices of the Suhakam chairman and its commissioners are also crucial to determine the future and effectiveness of the human rights institution, it said.

“In the past, from the birth of Suhakam, its effectiveness was not so evident but it changed after Hasmy Agam (2010-2016), and later Razali Ismail (2016-2019) were appointed as chairmen.

“The number of commissioners who will act without fear or favour for human rights is crucial, for all decisions requires consensus failing which the decision by a two-thirds majority of the members present at meetings shall be required.”

The groups said that if the wrong kinds of commissioners are appointed then Suhakam may become a less vocal and possibly ‘pro-government’ group, especially when alleged human rights perpetrators are state officials.

“If the wrong chairmen and commissioners are chosen, there may be no more public inquiries into matters of human rights, like the disappearances of Pastor Joshua Hilmy and Ruth Sitepu, Pastor Raymond Koh and Perlis activist Amri Che Mat, and other public inquiries.”

The statement was signed by Aliran, Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture, Greenpeace Malaysia, International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific, Network of Action for Migrants in Malaysia, Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia, and Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy. – May 27, 2022.