Outgoing Suhakam commissioner describes tenure as 'painful'

 

Pain. That is what outgoing Suhakam member Jerald Joseph will remember of his six-year tenure as a human rights commissioner.

However, that pain was not endured by him. Instead, it was borne by the most disadvantaged people in society which Suhakam documented.

"My most memorable moments are speaking to real people who are most desperate. They can be stateless people in Sabah or prisoners. All they ask for is that conditions improve.

"We have spoken to all sorts of complainants. They speak to us of pain that would otherwise never surface nor be resolved," Joseph told Malaysiakini.

Joseph is one of five Suhakam commissioners who completed their second term yesterday. Under the law, the five do not qualify for a third term.

Notably, within this cohort, two commissioners - Mah Weng Kwai and Nik Salida Suhaili Nik Saleh - conducted Suhakam's public inquiry into the disappearance of activist Amri Che Mat and pastor Raymond Koh.

Pastor Raymond Koh and activist Amri Che Mat

This panel's final report had concluded Amri and Koh were victims of "enforced disappearance" and pinned the blame on the police’s Special Branch.

Lives at stake

Joseph was part of the public inquiry into the disappearance of pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth. The other two panel members were Mohd Hishammuddin Md Yunus and Madeline Berma. Like Joseph, Berma completed her two terms yesterday.

This public inquiry concluded that Joshua and Ruth were abducted, but they were not by "agents of the state".

Recalling his participation in the panel, Joseph said this was another painful experience because lives were at stake.

"Sitting on the panel, in the back of our minds we were always wondering: Are they still alive?

"Our panel can deep dive into an investigation, but the power to act still lies with the state. Until now, we still don't know whether (Joshua and Ruth) are alive," he added.

Human rights improvements

Joseph refused to attribute any policy victories to his cohort, stressing that human rights advocacy work by the commission was a continuous effort.

However, he said he has witnessed a change of attitude in various government agencies during his tenure, especially among those in uniform.

Jerald Joseph

Government agencies, he said, would often invite Suhakam commissioners to sit in committees to lend their expertise on human rights issues, such as the early release of prisoners or immigration affairs.

"We also managed to establish direct dialogues between the government and international human rights groups so that the government understood where we stand internationally on certain issues," he added.

On his future, Joseph said he will still be involved in civil society organisations both locally and abroad.

"I was a human rights trainer. Now I have six years of experience as a Suhakam commissioner. It's a great add-on." - Mkini