KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Rights Commission Malaysia (Suhakam) will be able to directly investigate and handle complaints on matters concerning human rights when the Suhakam Act 1999 is amended to expand the commission’s powers.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong (pix) said the amendment is already on the pipeline and it would give the commission more leeway to further investigate human rights violations and make recommendations to the government, and also to various other agencies.
“The amendment will take some time, as it is still in the pipeline. Considering everything, I think it is possible for amendments to be tabled by next year or so,” he said at the press conference after officiating a forum in conjunction with Suhakam’s 20th anniversary, here, today.
Speaking on the same issue, Suhakam chairman Tan Sri Othman Hashim added that the commission’s proposal has already been made to the government to allow parliamentary oversight in line with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) manifesto.
The Suhakam Act 1999 is to ensure the commission’s role to carry out its mandate to increase the effectiveness of the protection of human rights in Malaysia. — Bernama
