Bar Council’s Action Not Right, Says Muhyiddin

(Bernama) — It is not appropriate for the Bar Council to tell the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) what to do or not to do, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said Suhakam, as an independent body, had its own jurisdiction and considerations and "they do not need people to tell them what to do".

"It is up to Suhakam to take the necessary steps if it feels there are some valid reasons for it to look into whatever case involving the issue of human rights," he told reporters after meeting Puteri Umno leaders at his office, here, Thursday.

The deputy prime minister was asked to comment on the Bar Council's action yesterday in submitting a memorandum to Suhakam on the arrest of five lawyers at the Brickfields police station on May 7.

Muhyiddin said the Bar Council's action did not reflect its fair and just position on an issue.

"They have taken a position even before they forwarded their views to the commission," he added.