How the govt undermines Suhakam

Ezam (Public domain | Wiki commons)

(The Nut Graph) WE know that Senator Ezam Mohd Nor was diverting from the real issue when he commented on the story about foreign workers at the new Istana Negara construction site allegedly not being paid their wages. By some stretch of the imagination, he turned what was really a human rights issue and possible labour law violation into a case of undermining the monarchy. In that light, Ezam may just be joining the bandwagon of fear-mongers in claiming that Malay Malaysian power and institutions are under threat.

Ezam is not worth responding to. His switching of political alliances and his repeated unfulfilled promises of political exposés speak for his credibility.

What is more important than Ezam’s rhetoric is that once again, an authority tasked with protecting people, the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), is disregarded.

Subjected to bureaucracy

On 5 July 2010, two Suhakam commissioners and two officers attempted to check the workers’ living conditions following reports that there were also children living in cramped and dirty conditions at the construction site. But security guards denied Suhakam entry, saying they had to obtain permission from the building contractor.

Commissioner Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah was quoted as saying that Suhakam had called and written to inform the contractor, Maya Maju Sdn Bhd, of their planned visit. There was no reply, and Suhakam went ahead. As Muhammad Sha’ani also said, Suhakam is “mandated and duty-bound to make sure no human rights abuses are taking place”.

What if Maya Maju were never to respond to Suhakam’s request? What if every other case of alleged or suspected human rights abuse could only be opened to inspection after Suhakam writes, waits and obtains permission? How would the commission be expected to conduct its work?

As if that wasn’t enough, the Works Ministry then told Suhakam to make “an official request” to the Public Works Department. The commission has done this and is still waiting for a response. Given government bureaucracy, when would that response be forthcoming? And in the meantime, what could be happening behind the palace gates?

Palace gates (Public domain | Wiki commons)

At the same time, what’s stopping the works minister from quickly facilitating Suhakam’s investigation since the matter falls under the ministry’s jurisdiction?

Suhakam should not be made to go through the hassle of putting in written applications just so it can discharge its duties. The commission does not comprise “ordinary” members of the public, but individuals of high standing entrusted to hold the country accountable on human rights. Even “ordinary” citizens’ complaints about dealing with the civil service are attended to, thanks to government measures such as online services. Why, then, couldn’t the government attend to Suhakam’s request more efficiently? What more when the commissioners are appointed by the government?

Read more at: http://www.thenutgraph.com/how-the-govt-undermines-suhakam/