I think that moderation in the form of a reassurance by the government is simply not enough because moderation in policy alone will fail if it does not reflect moderation in practice. The Federal Constitution is all about moderation in practice. Malaysia needs a rejection of all forms of extremism through action, even if extremism is religious in nature as Malaysians want to live peacefully and enjoy the benefits of civilised values. Situations where attempts were made to remove a church cross, the banning of tudung for frontline hotel staff, Muslimonly laundries and racist statements by thug-like individuals backed by some politicians are some of the unacceptable intolerances we saw this year. The perceived inaction by the authorities to these actual instances and failure of the government to operationalise its commitment on moderation that it preaches further disappoints us. University and educational institution policies that discriminate on the basis of race cannot be accepted by a government committed to moderation. Malaysia must be seen to be unswerving to the elimination of racial discrimination, including indirect racism in all aspects. Universities and educational institutions are places that cultivate mindsets, and if we are serious about progress, I believe we must have the integrity to re-examine the structures that are embedded in the system. Some of our universities must move away from what is widely regarded S U H A K A M A N N U A L R EPOR T 2017 vii C H A I R M A N ’ S R E VI E W Y et again, the country has not protected and promoted human rights and fundamental freedoms for our people the way it has claimed to champion internationally. Malaysia is the only country, astonishingly, out of 16 other countries to have not been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2018-2020 term. Though we were successful at the United Nations when it adopted Malaysia’s resolution on moderation at its 72nd session of the General Assembly, proclaiming 2019 as the International Year of Moderation, the depth of our commitment to moderation is being questioned in the country and outside. There were instances whereby the authorities embarrassingly banned academic books on moderate Islam and detained and arrested internationally recognised Turkish intellectual and scholar, Mustafa Akyol on the advice of the Federal Territories Islamic Affairs Department (JAWI) for allegedly not having religious credentials to give lectures on Islam, among others, giving rise to a widespread public perception of an attempt by the government to supress freedom of expression. SUHAKAM must admit that it is deeply concerned at the direction in which our society is heading and at the growing intolerance towards freedom of opinion with segments of government accommodating them.