'Quiet' Suhakam shadow of its former self, rues Teresa

PARLIAMENT | Suhakam appears to have lost its fangs and is a shadow of its former self, according to Teresa Kok (Harapan-Seputeh).

“Suhakam today seems quieter compared to the Suhakam in the past,” she said during her debate on the 2020 Suhakam Report in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The DAP lawmaker recalled how the commission would be more proactive on the field in the past.

“In the past, we always saw commissioners going to the field, participating in various activities such as monitoring Bersih rallies, holding open hearings for victims lamenting abuse of power by enforcement officers.

“But, today, we rarely read Suhakam statements or about its activities. Most of us don’t even know Suhakam’s commissioners,” she said.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok

Suhakam appointed a new board of commissioners in July last year, which was met with criticism from several human rights groups.

The appointment of Suhakam chairperson Rahmat Mohamad was particularly met with disappointment, as he had co-authored a paper that convinced the Conference of Rulers to reject the Rome Statute.

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC).

However, Rahmat later told Malaysiakini that he did not oppose the Rome Statute, but co-authored the paper objecting it because he felt the necessary preparations were not completed at the time.

The Rome Statute – which has been ratified by 123 states – is an international treaty establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC) which focuses on genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.

The ICC can only investigate and prosecute such crimes in situations where states are unable or unwilling to do so themselves.

Suhakam chairperson Rahmat Mohamad

Several other appointments that captured the eye of rights groups were of active politicians such Hasnal Rezua Merican and Nazira Abdul Rahim - raising questions about the human rights body’s impartiality and independence.

Nazira is the women’s chief of the Kulim-Bandar Baharu Umno division and Bandar Baharu municipal councillor, while Hasnal is the Selayang Umno deputy division chief. 

Meanwhile, Kok called on the government to engage with civil society organisations when appointing future commissioners.

She opined that such engagements could make Suhakam “more active”. 

“I hope that those who have a background in human rights are appointed to be Suhakam commissioners,” she said. - Mkini