Rahmat resigns as Suhakam chairman after appointment as AIAC advisory board chairman

PETALING JAYA: Prof Datuk Rahmat Mohamad will resign from his post as Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman effective Aug 31, the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department has announced.

This comes following Rahmat’s appointment as the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) Advisory Board chairman by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said on August 23.

The Legal Affairs Division said the appointment aligned with Rahmat’s background in International Law and his experience as the fifth secretary-general of the Asian African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO).

“To ensure Suhakam’s governance proceeds smoothly during this transition phase, the government will appoint an interim chairman soonest to carry out the Suhakam chairman’s duties until a new chairman is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” the Legal Affairs Division said in a statement on Monday (August 28).

Rahmat was initially appointed to be Suhakam chairman for the 2022-2025 term.