PETALING JAYA: A deputy Umno division chief has come forward to defend his appointment to the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) after coming under criticisms over concerns about his political affiliation.
Selayang Umno deputy chief Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican said he believed that his appointment was due to his legal experience.
“I humbly believe that my appointment was made based on my vast and continuous experience in the practice of criminal law.
“The experience places me in a strategic position to contribute to the cause of human rights,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Hasnal said he considered his appointment a privilege and pledged to do his best in his duties.
“I consider my appointment as a privilege to serve and I look forward to rendering my services to the best of my ability without fear or favour,” he said.
Earlier, human rights group Suaram had expressed concern and disappointment over the recent appointments to Suhakam, including its chairman and the two commissioners linked to Umno.
Besides Hasnal, the other commissioner Nazira Abdul Rahim is Wanita Umno chief for the Kulim-Bandar Baharu division.
Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy said the appointments did not reflect the independence and values that Suhakam was supposed to represent.
“Suhakam’s ability to perform its function is in question with the new chairman and commissioners.
“We are of the view that these appointments do not reflect the independence and core values of Suhakam as the national human rights institution,” he said yesterday.
Sevan said the appointments were all the more disappointing, given the fact that Malaysia recently secured a seat in the United Nation’s Human Rights Council.
He also questioned the justification behind the appointment of Suhakam chairman Datuk Prof Rahmat Mohamad, who co-authored a paper that convinced the Conference of Rulers to reject the Rome Statute.
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is the treaty that established the International Criminal Court.
Attempts have been made to reach Nazira.
