PARLIAMENT | Lawmakers from both sides of the political divide have taken the government to task over the delay in appointing a Suhakam chief after the position fell vacant last August.
Another government MP condemned Suhakam over its evident silence on the issue of preacher Firdaus Wong allegedly suggesting ways to secretly convert non-Muslim teenagers to Islam.
Hassan Abdul Karim (Harapan-Pasir Gudang) did not mince his words when he told the Dewan Rakyat today that Suhakam has kept mum on matters pertaining to racial discrimination as well as religious freedom in the country.
“My question is why isn’t there any response from Suhakam on this issue (involving Firdaus)? Suhakam is certainly more aware that religious freedom is the universal right of all Malaysians, whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims.
“I, as a Muslim, take this matter (regarding Firdaus’ remarks) seriously for the sake of national harmony.
“The actions of this individual (Firdaus) have caused concern and alarm among non-Muslims in Malaysia,” Hassan said.
He said this when debating on the motion towards the “Annual Report and Financial Statement of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) 2021-2022” in the lower house today.
The PKR veteran also asserted that it was Suhakam’s responsibility to speak up about all matters related to human rights.
‘Why the delay?’
Police are investigating Firdaus for incitement following a viral video in which he provided guidelines and instructions on how to secretly convert a non-Muslim child to Islam.
Firdaus is being probed under Section 505(c) of the Penal Code, which stipulates that making statements with intent to incite or likely to incite any class or community to commit any offence against another class or community is punishable upon conviction with imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both.
Three other parliamentarians - Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut), Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN–Kubang Kerian) and Cha Kee Chin (Harapan–Rasah) – concurred that Suhakam is unable to operate and function properly in the absence of a chairperson.
Tuan Ibrahim pointed out that all organisations require a leader and it’s high time for the government to appoint an individual to lead the commission.
Cha questioned when the appointment would be made since the position was left vacant for almost 10 months after its previous chair Rahmat Mohamad voluntarily resigned effective Aug 31.
“Why is there a delay? We want Suhakam to perform its functions properly, where there is a chairperson and commissioners in the organisation structure.
“We can’t possibly wait for a whole year to appoint (someone to the position,” the DAP lawmaker said.
Che Mohamad said the failure to immediately appoint an individual to helm the post can cause a delay in the commission’s decision-making process.
“I hope the appointment process will be expedited without outside interference,” he said.
Racism, abuse of power
Rahmat stepped down from the Suhakam chairperson position a little over two months after several allegations were made against him, ranging from racism to abuse of power.
He also came under heavy scrutiny after he was accused of bypassing certain internal procedures.
The sources who spoke to Malaysiakini then claimed that Rahmat appointed a special officer despite objections from Suhakam’s senior management based on the individual’s appraisal for a separate position within the commission.
However, Rahmat refuted the allegation, claiming that all decisions were made with the agreement of Suhakam commissioners and later communicated to the senior management.
Rahmat’s move to appoint a special officer had come into question as the role was not provided under Suhakam’s organisational chart. - Mkini
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