MAY 20 — Proham (Society for the Promotion of Human Rights) expresses its disappointment with the Government of Malaysia's handling of matters pertaining to Suhakam (Human Rights Commission of Malyasia). This is totally unacceptable and unbecoming of a responsible government. Three areas of concern.

The first is the provision of adequate funds for the work of Suhakam.

It is totally unacceptable that the government of Malaysia is unable to find an additional RM5 million for Suhakam in 2016. The budget cut by 50 per cent is unacceptable as RM10 to RM12 million annually is a very small sum in light of the total federal spending. It is unbelievable that the government is unable to find the additional funds which it is obligated to provide.

Second, it has been reported the geographical spread of Suhakam’s promotional and protection work will be narrowed down to just the Klang valley.

Proham calls the minister referred to, namely Datuk Paul Low, to verify and clarify the statement which was quoted as a written parliamentary reply. This too is totally unacceptable as the promotion and protection work must have a national coverage across all the states in the peninsula as well as the states of Sabah and Sarawak.

Third, we are once again in an unacceptable situation wherein we have a commission without commissioners.

It is the duty of the federal government to ensure that the appointments are made in due time, prior to the expiry of the tenure of commissioners. This failure to comply with human rights standards and obligations is reflective of the low priority placed on human rights by the current administration.

Suhakam was established about seventeen years ago, in 1999. Malaysia has previously played an active role in the United Nations both in the Security Commission and in the UN Human Rights Commission. It is of the utmost importance that the work of Suhakam is not undermined but enhanced in accordance to international human rights standards.

Therefore Proham calls on the federal government to fulfil its obligations based on the Suhakam Act as well as Malaysia’s international obligations.

* Media statement issued by Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, Proham secretary general, on May 19, 2016

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.