KUALA LUMPUR: The government, through the Finance Ministry, has approved a grant of RM14.39mil to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) in 2023 to cover operating expenses and meet the objectives of its establishment.
Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said the grant is the highest amount approved by the government.
"The grant is intended to cover operating expenses, fixed allowance of Suhakam commissioner, emoluments, operations rental, utilities, implementation of Suhakam's annual programmes and activities, as well as the purchase of assets such as vehicles on a one-off basis.
"The granting of the fund is based on the 2023 Budget review session, as well as Suhakam's expenditure performance and the government's financial capacity at that time," she said when winding up the Debate on the Motion for the Suhakam 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statement for MoF at the Dewan Rakyat here on Thursday (July 24).
Meanwhile, she also welcomed the proposal by William Leong Jee Keen (PH-Selayang) and Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) to increase the allocation to Suhakam as stated in the report presented.
Therefore, Lim said the government would consider appropriate allocations for Suhakam's needs subject to the current government's capacity.
"Since the establishment of Suhakam in 2000, the government has never failed to provide allocations. The government is always committed to ensuring that Suhakam can operate and fulfil its establishment objectives," said Lim. – Bernama
