THE government has appointed controversial figures to the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), who do not share core human rights values, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) said.

Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy the federal government’s choices for commissioners to lead the human rights body were disappointing, given the fact that Malaysia has recently secured a seat in the United Nation’s Human Rights Council.

“Suaram has strong doubts that the newly appointed Suahakam chairman Rahmat Mohamad can carry out his duties to fulfil Suhakam’s mandate.

“He was reported to have opposed Malaysia ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and was one of the four academics who co-authored a paper convincing the Conference of Rules to do just that.

“Rahmat’s views of the Rome Statute might adversely affect Suhakam’s mandate,” Sevan said in a statement today.

Suhakam’s mandate includes making recommendations to the government on acceding to treaties and other international human rights instruments, Sevan noted.

Rahmat and seven other new commissioners were announced by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob last week.

Sevan said two other new commissioners are known to be strongly affiliated with Umno, for which Ismail is a vice president.

“Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican is the chairman of Umno Selayang Branch and Nazira Abdul Rahim is the chairman of the Women’s Division at Umno Kulim and Bandar Baharu Branch and, the current local councillor for Bandar Baharu.

“Suaram maintains that suhakam’s chairman and commissioners should be politically neutral to ensure the body remains independent from political influence, and therefore is able to discharge its duties without fear and favour.”

Their political influence can cause Suhakam to be compromised in its work holding inquiries into human rights complaints, Sevan added.

Sevan also saw problems with the appointment of former director-general of the Islamic Development Department Mohamad Nordin Ibrahim, who had previously demanded answers from Suhakam regarding the recognition of a third gender research project.

Sevan said Nordin’s appointment would again hampers the body’s ability in conducting research that may prove to be sensitive and controversial to the executive branch.

“The root of the controversial appointment stems from the lack of transparency and parliamentary oversight on the entire selection process of Suhakam commissioners.

“Throughout the selection process, the public and civil society was left in the dark.

“According to the Suhakam Act 1999 section 11A(1)(c), a committee must first be formed to be consulted with regards to the appointment of commissioner and three members of the committee must come from civil society who have knowledge of or practical experience in human rights matters.

“However, civil society is mostly unaware of the formation and composition of the committee, and what are the selection criteria and meritocratic basis in appointing these new batch of commissioners?”

Besides Rahmat, Nordin, Hasnal and Nazira, the other commissioners are Noor Azizah Mohd Awal, Chew Chee Ming (Sarawak), Mary Mariati Robert (Sabah) and Ragunath Kesavan, a former Malaysian Bar president.

Their appointments will take effect on June 22.

The tenure of the previous nine Suhakam commissioners ended on April 26.

Of the nine, five had completed their two terms: May Weng Kwai, Jerald Joseph, Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh, Lok Yim Pheng and Godfrey Gregory Joitol.

The remaining commissioners completing their first term are Othman Hashim, Madeline Berma Mohd Hishamuddin Md Yunus and Noor Aziah Mohd Awal (children’s commissioner). They were not reappointed. – July 3, 2022.