Proham concerned over "lack of political leadership"

PETALING JAYA: The Association for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) has voiced its concern for the “lack of political leadership" over recent events that put human rights and fundamental liberties under threat.

Its chairman Tan Sri Simon Sipaun said it was the duty of the Prime Minister, as head of the Federal government, and a Mentri Besar, in the case of state agencies, who must provide political leadership in addressing these concerns.

"The authorities under their jurisdiction must be held accountable to public officials who are elected by the people," he said.

He said three recent incidences display that human rights and fundamental liberties are under threat - the issues surrounding the rights to peaceful assembly against rising prices, the raid by Islamic religious officials on The Bible Society and confiscation of Bibles are trampling religious liberty issues and  suspension of the printing permit of the weekly ‘The Heat’ by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Sipaun urged the Prime Minister to take immediate steps to stop officials who are violating human rights and hold them accountable for their actions.

“In addition what is urgently needed is the long term formulation of the Human Rights Action Plan which is long overdue,” said Tan.

"There is a need for political leadership which can transcend political parties in a by-partisan tradition  in the best interest of the nation so as to ensure that Malaysia is a nation that will truly embody democratic freedoms and inter religious harmony.

"In addition, Malaysia preaches moderation globally and has made international commitments to upholding human rights at the United Nations especially during the Universal Periodical Review. We must practice this within Malaysia and not allow certain individuals whether within the administration or society to undermine national unity, peace and harmony.

"It is in this context that the silence of the Prime Minister and his Cabinet is really unfortunate and is further undermining human rights and good governance.

"Proham therefore calls on all political leaders in public office, senior civil servants, and civil society leaders including religious leaders to work together in building a better Malaysia for all.

"We have started 2014 on a bad footing trampling human rights; however as Malaysians we must rise to defend the Federal Constitution within the democratic tradition," he said.