Suhakam slams Syed Saddiq for not supporting interim press secretary

PETALING JAYA: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has hit out at Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman (pix) for not supporting his interim press secretary Numan Afifi who had to resign following a public backlash against his sexual orientation.
Suhakam chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail said the public backlash over Numan's sexual orientation and non-discrimination activism is extremely troubling because Malaysia is supposed to ensure equality of its citizens under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution.
He said it was unfortunate that the ministry caved in to public pressure and did not take a principled stand on a matter that concerns human rights principles of equality and non-discrimination in employment and/or at the workplace.
"The officer should have been assessed and evaluated on his skills, qualifications, and ability to contribute to the ministry and country instead of being deemed to be unfit for the position based solely on his sexual orientation, which is completely irrelevant to job performance.
"Suhakam is concerned that this may be a case of the workplace and/or employment discrimination, which seems to be continuing in the public and private sectors," Razali said.
Numan had said he was only helping out Syed Saddiq as a temporary press officer, describing the latter as his friend.
He said the backlash and threats from "opposition propagandists" had made it impossible for him to exercise his duties.
Numan said he also wanted to make it clear that he had never been officially appointed by the minister.
Razali said Suhakam has received complaints from the LGBT community of human rights violations, including harassment and ill-treatment, bullying, sexual assault and violence, intimidation, denial of employment and education opportunities as well as medical treatment purely because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
He said the Commission wonders whether the hangover of the past is still lingering among new leaders, even the younger ones, and hopes that the new government will find a way to develop a national conscience to protect society's most vulnerable.
He said the government must stand up for everyone while upholding the principles of equality and non-discrimination in accordance with the Federal Constitution.