The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has expressed its hope that the incoming government will commit to necessary institutional reforms and good governance practices.
Suhakam said that while it was clear that the incoming government must focus its efforts on managing the Covid-19 pandemic, it hoped that the new prime minister and the cabinet would possess an “inclusive human rights agenda as a central feature of its work”.
In a press statement released today, Suhakam said: “Such a government should adopt a coordinated strategy to promote, protect and enable human rights approach, whenever and wherever possible.
“As the national human rights institution, Suhakam commits to continue engaging with various ministries and parliamentarians and submitting its recommendations, in accordance with its legislative mandate to advise the government on pressing human rights issues.”
Suhakam’s statement comes in light of the ongoing political crisis and the process of identifying a new prime minister to helm the next government.
Shortly after the resignation of Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister earlier this week, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong held a meeting with various political leaders.
Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had reportedly urged politicians to unite against Covid-19 and forge "new politics", with a consensus to abandon “tiring, boring” politics.
Citing Article 5-13 of the Federal Constitution, Suhakam reaffirmed that human rights should not be an optional agenda and that the upcoming government must demonstrate its commitment to respecting human dignity and fundamental freedoms.
It added that this would serve as the driving force towards meeting the country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets, restore hope for Malaysians and allow democracy to flourish. - Mkini
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