xii. Outcome of Inquiries – it is proposed that all relevant agencies to take actions on
SUHAKAM’s recommendations including, where applicable, initiating a criminal
investigation and/or prosecution of an offence;
xiii. Debate SUHAKAM’S Annual Report/Special Reports – it is proposed that the relevant
provision be amended to state explicitly that the Parliament is to debate reports
by the Commission; and
xiv. Select Committee on Human Rights – it is proposed that a Parliamentary Select
Committee (PSC) be formed in order for SUHAKAM and other stakeholders to discuss
human rights matters with Parliament on a regular basis.
In May 2018, SUHAKAM extended its proposed amendment Bill to the IRC, and later to
the JKKMAR for consideration.
2. Submission of Position Papers to the Institutional Reforms Committee
(IRC)
In May 2018, SUHAKAM initiated a meeting with the IRC with the aim of submitting
recommendations with regard to the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct
Commission (IPCMC), and reporting to Parliament, among others.
SUHAKAM also submitted position papers regarding the following international human
rights treaties - International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), International
Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED),
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and
Members of Their Families (ICRMW) and the Convention Relation to the status of
Refugees (1951 Refugee Convention) - for the Committee’s consideration.
From SUHAKAM’s observations, the government has carried out several actions to
meet the standards and spirit of the international human rights treaties. Among the
justifications in the position papers were:
i.
Removal of the mandatory death penalty in drug-related offences;
ii. Removal of corporal punishment from the Child Act 2001 and the introduction of
alternative punishment i.e. counselling and community service;
iii. The introduction of the National Education Blueprint 2015-2025;
iv. The introduction of National Key Results Areas (NKRAs) which are designed to
improve the socio-economic growth of Malaysians;
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SUHAKAM
ANNUAL REPORT 2018