After 19 years, Suhakam report to be debated in Dewan Rakyat

The Dewan Rakyat is scheduled to debate the Suhakam report for the first time since the human rights commission's inception 19 years ago.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Liew Vui Keong is expected to table the motion tomorrow, which is listed as number five on the order paper.

“The Dewan will debate the report tomorrow. This is the first time. It is another milestone for the Pakatan Harapan government,” a high-ranking source told Malaysiakini.

“Compared to the BN government in the past, where Suhakam's reports were tabled but never debated,” he added.

Veteran DAP lawmaker Lim Kit Siang, who pushed for debating the Suhakam reports in the past, lauded the move.

“For the first time, Suhakam's report will be debated,” the Iskandar Puteri MP told Malaysiakini.

The motion urged the House to consider the main suggestions in Suhakam's 2018 annual report, which were tabled on April 11 this year.

According to the order paper, the House was urged to acknowledge the government's aspiration and commitment to safeguarding and respecting human rights.

“Suhakam has been made an independent body which is recognisable both in Malaysia and abroad to the point of receiving an ' A status' under the Paris Principles..,” it added.

In the past, when the government had ignored Suhakam's findings and recommendations, critics panned the commission as a toothless tiger.

Four years ago, its then chairperson Hasmy Agam said the commission was worse than a toothless tiger.

“When I first became chairperson, the way we looked at the commission is that it’s worse than a toothless tiger.

“A tiger is a tiger, and before it opens its mouth to show it has no teeth, you are already scared looking at it.

"From my perspective, Suhakam is a watchdog that is tied to the post," he added. - Mkini