CONGRATULATIONS, MR.

CHAIRMAN

Khoo Ying Hooi

After a long wait of 45 days and much speculation, the list of SUHAKAM
new line-up was finally announced by the Prime Minister, Najib Razak
on 7 June.

People have put high expectations on SUHAKAM since the amendment

of its Act. Nevertheless as predicted, the selection process was again
scarred with debates.

Though the amended SUHAKAM Act has introduced an inclusion of a

five-member selection committee, the same old question on
transparency arises. The five-member selection committee consists of
three civil society representatives, apart from the Chief Secretary and
the former SUHAKAM Chairman is given task to propose qualified
individuals with human rights expertise to the Prime Minister.

The uproar of the civil society groups is again neglected and ignored.

The focus has now shifted to the role of these new members,
appointed by the King to promote and protect human rights in the
country. Little have been said on the human rights record of the newly
appointed Chairman Hasmy Agam, apart from him direct involvement
with the UN mechanisms in the international arena and his expertise in
the diplomacy and foreign relations.

The other six members are native customary rights advocate Jannie
Lasimbang, lawyer Detta Samen, childrens rights activist Dr. James
Nayagam, FOMCA Secretary General Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah,
Universiti Malaya Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr. Khaw Lake Tee
and International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation Deputy
Dean Prof Datuk Dr. Mahmood Zuhdi Abd Majid.

There have been endless calls and demands by the public to SUHAKAM
to improve its performance for the past 10 years, which unfortunately
have remained to be ignored. Some says it is useless to give supports
and hopes in this institution. But I believe that there are hopes, and
these hopes now lie on the credibility of the new members. The new
members carry a heavy responsibility to prove that SUHAKAM is a
prominent instrument for enforcement of human rights in national
jurisdictions.

1
Just today 16 June, the new Chairman Hasmy Agam has called a press
conference in the SUHAKAM office. Judge us by our action and ability to
push what is on the table for implementation, he said.

On this, I would like to make some humble recommendations to the

new Chairman.

Bend the Rules

The roles and functions of a national human rights institution guided by

the Paris Principles might seem to be very straight forward, often than
not, the controversies spark mainly due to the low understanding of its
roles and functions.

We have heard enough of the excuses made by SUHAKAM in the

past that the particular human rights violation does not fall into the
scope of a national human rights institution. It is although true that the
mandates provided to the SUHAKAM might be restricted to some
extent, but the rules can always be bend and stretch.

Who and Who

The quality of members, leadership and staff vitally influence

SUHAKAMs effectiveness in carrying out its task.

Since the 7 new members are the representative of the country in

promoting and protecting the human rights, it is essential for the public
to be aware who their leaders are and who to go to when they face
human rights violations.

In such call, it is essential to ensure the Commissioners make an

initiative to approach the public better.

Boring but We Do Need an Action Plan

Institutions need action plan to guide their work.

It is timely for the new team to prepare a roadmap in the call of the
urgency to address human rights violations. It is crucial for SUHAKAM
to provide an action plan with specific timeframes for the government
to implement all pending recommendations and release progress
reports on the status of implementation publicly and regularly.

Strategic Alliance with the Civil Society Groups

2
The tainted relationship between the Commission and the civil society
groups is well known to the public. Such love-hate relationship has not
benefited any parties for a long run. Since the civil society groups are
an important entity in the promotion and protection of the human
rights, it is necessary for SUHAKAM to rebuild and strengthen the
relationship with the civil society groups.

Civil society groups can be involved in the implementation of some

programmes and activities. They often bring expertise and can provide
a bridge into communities that may distrust their national human
rights institution, perceiving it to be an official body.

Ground Monitoring

It is critical for SUHAKAM to conduct regular monitoring on the ground,

where there are imminent human rights violations. In the past
practices, we hardly see the Commissioners except a few of them that
actually go on ground monitoring. The human rights violations are not
just to be recorded and documented but it is imperative for the
members and the staff to observe the human rights violation with their
own eyes.

Afterall, SUHAKAM serves the people.

Handle Complaints Speedily and Effectively

In the society that the information flow move so fast, SUHAKAM also
needs to move along in the same line that is to address human rights
violations in a quick manner rather to wait for the usual monthly
meeting.

There are many channels available to disseminate information, so it is

time to best use the channels. It is necessary for SUHAKAM to call for
press conference in a more frequent basis, rather than the regular
issuing of press statements, sometimes with much delay.

The Declining Popularity

Despite the increase of human rights violations cases in the country,

the influence and the credibility of SUHAKAM has been blow down from
time to time. The public have basically lost confidence on its functions.
It is time for this new batch of Commissioners to again revive the
reputation and image of such institution with actions and not just
words.

3
It is time for the SUHAKAM to serve the people, and to remain as an
indispensable human rights entity for the country.

Again, I extend my sincere congratulations to the new Chairman,

Hasmy Agam. Perhaps it is the time for SUHAKAM to make some
headlines.

END.
16 June 2010