Allow debate on ‘urgent’ human rights issues in Dewan Rakyat, Suhakam tells govt

 

The government has no intention to debate Suhakam’s annual report in the Dewan Rakyat this year due to time constraints. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) said it is crucial that its annual report be debated in the Dewan Rakyat as it highlights numerous pressing issues that need “urgent action” by the government.

In a statement today, Suhakam said the annual report also contains its recommendations regarding the rights of vulnerable communities – including the indigenous peoples, women and children, victims of human trafficking, refugees and asylum seekers and workers.

“Suhakam notes that Section 21 of its enabling Act, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999, does not specifically mention that the annual report has to be debated in Parliament.

“Nevertheless, Suhakam is of the view that it is crucial for the annual report to be debated in Parliament as it will allow MPs to critically discuss human rights issues of public interest in Malaysia and propose possible solutions to these issues,” said Suhakam.

It also called on the government to recognise the importance of human rights issues as part of its regular affairs, especially in parliamentary debates.

The 2019 report was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Nov 4. The commission’s annual report was debated in Parliament for the first time on Dec 5 last year, with Suhakam today calling for the debate to be an annual affair.

Earlier today, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law) Takiyuddin Hassan said time constraints meant the government does not plan to debate Suhakam’s annual report in the Dewan Rakyat this year.

“It is not mandatory to debate (the report) but if there are MPs keen to debate on specific issues, it can be done at an appropriate time,” he said.

Takiyuddin was replying to Fahmi Fadzil (PKR-Lembah Pantai), who asked if the government would allow the report to be debated as had been done last year. - FMT

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