KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 — The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) is intensifying efforts to realise the setting up of a parliamentary special committee on human rights.
Towards this end, its chairman, Tan Sri Hasmy Agam said Suhakam had met two ministers holding the governance and integrity, and legal portfolios, Datuk Paul Low and Nancy Shukri to get their support.
“We will also meet Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim who is responsible for Parliament affairs and hope he too, will support the proposal,” he told reporters after attending a 2013 Human Rights Awards Ceremony here today.
The proposal was submitted by former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz last year, to enable Suhakam’s report on human rights to be discussed in Parliament. Mohamed Nazri is now tourism and culture minister.
Currently, Hasmy said, Suhakam only acted as an advisory body to the government to formulate any law on human rights and foster awareness among the communities.
“We can only voice our views and hold discussions with the government. Not comprehensive...not satisfactory. I think our reports should be discussed in Parliament,” he said.
On the 2013 World Human Rights Day celebration today, Hasmy urged Malaysians to remember the passing of former South African president Nelson Mandela and honour and emulate his human rights struggle. — Bernama
