CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE TAN SRI HASMY AGAM Chairman The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia The Annual Report of the National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia is submitted to the Parliament each year in compliance with Section 21 of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 (Act 597). This is the 12th Annual Report and the third by the current Commission. It is a record of the Commission’s programmes and activities in fulfilment of its statutory mandate relating to the promotion and protection of human rights. The Commission was pleased with a number of positive developments on the human rights front over the year under review. It welcomed the annulment of the remaining three Proclamations of Emergency, and repeal of restrictive laws – the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA), the Banishment Act 1959 and the Restricted Residence Act 1933 – as many of their provisions had violated international human rights principles and norms, including those of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). In looking forward to concrete steps to be taken in that direction, the Commission was disheartened when, shortly after the historic announcement on the repeal of the ISA, 13 suspected militants were detained under the Act. In the Commission’s view, this was a retrogressive step and one that was inconsistent with the spirit behind the decision to abolish the ISA. Indeed, that action elicited negative comments from both within and outside the country which urged the Government to accelerate the process of removing the ISA and other existing restrictive laws. The Commission is fully cognizant of the need for maintenance of public order and national security but, in undertaking this law and order function, every effort should be made to comply with international standards and norms. Consistent with its principles and position on this issue, the Commission called for the release of all those who are still detained under preventive detention laws, or for them to be charged under other laws and brought to trial as part of due process. 1