In view of the said meeting, SUHAKAM prepared a paper focusing on two issues concerned with strengthening SUHAKAM’s powers and functions through amendments to SUHAKAM’s parent Act; and ratification of international human rights treaties. The essence of the justification paper was as follows: a) Strengthening SUHAKAM’s powers and functions SUHAKAM has identified several amendments to enable SUHAKAM to be more effective in undertaking its functions. The proposed amendments include matters affecting governance, integrity and accountability in the selection process of SUHAKAM Commissioners; SUHAKAM’s power to advise and assist the government in formulating legislation and administrative directives and procedures; SUHAKAM’s power to inquire into complaints regarding the infringement of human rights; debating of SUHAKAM’s Annual Report/Special Reports in Parliament; and SUHAKAM’s power to promote awareness of and provide education in relation to human rights. b) Ratification of international human rights treaties In line with Promise 26 of the Manifesto, SUHAKAM recommended that the government accede to or ratify the following seven international human rights treaties: i. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT); ii. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR); iii. International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD); iv. International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED); v. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW); and vi. Convention Relation to the status of Refugees (1951 Refugee Convention) This would show Malaysia’s commitment to the betterment of human rights and to guarantee the country’s performance is on par with global development. On 21 September 2018, Commissioner Prof Dato’ Dr Aishah Bidin, the Head of Delegation, presented SUHAKAM’s justification paper together with its recommendations to the Cabinet during the JKKMAR meeting. The meeting was held at Bangunan Putra Perdana, Putrajaya, and was chaired by Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad. Cabinet Members, in principle, supported and endorsed SUHAKAM’s proposals for its empowerment so that its functions and roles can be carried out more efficiently. 56 SUHAKAM ANNUAL REPORT 2018