Comment: Looking back on Malaysia’s 2019 human rights record

Contentious issue: Some members of the police force at the recent IPCMC forum. It has been reported that 37 amendments have been made following stakeholder consultations, but these will now not be debated until the next parliamentary sitting due to resistance from the police and the opposition.

THE heralding of Malaysia Baharu since the historic 14th General Election (GE14) promised an era where oppressive laws would be repealed, public institutions would be governed with independence and adherence to the rule of law, and our human rights record would be respected by the world. As we take a look back at the past 12 months, how has the government fared and has this dream of Malaysia Baharu really transpired?

Any democratic and liberal society which respects human rights should not retain the death penalty in any form. After an announcement in late 2018 that the government would abolish the death penalty and imposed a moratorium on all executions, they backtracked after facing opposition from those who favoured the punishment for its imaginary deterrent effect.