SUHAKAM NEEDS MORE BITE IN HANDLING SERIOUS CASES

Suhakam needs more bite in handling serious cases

KOTA KINABALU June 13, 2012: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 needs to be amended if Suhakam was to shift from its role as a mere observer to that of a commission that can bring cases with blatant violations on human rights to court for prosecution.

Suhakam Chairman, Tan Sri Hasmy Agam told media members during a press luncheon held at the Suhakam Sabah office near here yesterday that the problem facing Suhakam now is that it is powerless to bring cases involving violations on human rights.

“When we go to court, we only act as observers and we give our opinions,” he said.

He added that he hoped the commission would eventually play a bigger role and be able to bring cases involving violations on human rights to court. However, in order for that to happen, the Act needs to be amended, he said.

“The Act has to be changed to enable us to bring serious cases to court.

“There is a possibility for this, but as of now, our role is merely to voice out the cries of the people,” he said.

He added that he has already discussed the matter of empowering Suhakam to the Attorney General and that the latter has given his opinion on it.

“Among the inputs are that Suhakam needs to have more legal specialists, more lawyers,” he said.

Additionally, Hasmy was also told that it would be costly for Suhakam to bring cases to court and that if it loses cases that have been filed in court, it may bring bad publicity to Suhakam.

“The issue of cost is solvable by stating ‘immunity for Suhakam’,” he said.

He added that if the amendment does occur, Suhakam will be picky on the cases it brings to court.

“Overseas, only blatant violations of human rights cases are brought to court,” he said.

During the luncheon, Hasmy also shared his views on the Native Customary Rights and the natives claim on their land.

He mentioned that the Suhakam report on the burning of houses of natives by a government department has already been submitted to parliament two months ago and as of to date, the matter has not been debated yet.

“We fear that the report will not be debated on. I have asked Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz to start the discussion and he said he will speak to the speaker (about it) but it has been two months. He said that the delay was due to limited slot, so I suggested that if they can’t discuss about it then a Select Committee should be established to discuss the NCR issue,” he said.

-----------------

Suhakam won’t interfere with RCI — Chairman

MEETING MEDIA: Hasmy (centre) flanked by (from left to right) Mahmood, Detta and Dr Khaw as well as Jannie (third from right) and Muhamad Sha’ani (right).

KOTA KINABALU June 13, 2012: Suhakam will not interfere with the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the presence of illegal immigrants (PTI) in Sabah.

Suhakam chairman, Tan Sri Hasmy Agam told reporters during a media luncheon held at the Suhakam office near here yesterday that they don’t want to create a situation of a two parallel inquiry.

“We have to allow RCI to conduct its own findings, and if we find the findings slanted, we will comment,” he said.

As of now however, Hasmy said that they have to wait for the RCI to be established and that they will follow up on the recommendations.

“We encourage the RCI to be really broad and meaningful,” he said.

Also present at the luncheon were commissioners, Jannie Lasimbang, Muhamad Sha’ani Abdullah, Professor Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee, Professor Datuk Dr Mahmood Zuhdi Haji Majid and Detta anak Samen.