Kenyataan Media

KUALA LUMPUR (23 AUGUST  2022) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) wishes to express its support for the stand taken by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) that caning is considered as an excessive punishment and that, the Government through the Legal Affairs Division and the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) is studying alternative punishments to replace the corporal punishment which is seen as excessive in its implementation.

SUHAKAM has taken various steps to advocate for the elimination of corporal punishment and all other excessive forms of punishment and has recommended the Government to prohibit corporal punishment by abolishing all domestic laws warranting the imposition of corporal punishment such as whipping and caning, which are all inconsistent with international human rights principles.

SUHAKAM calls on the Government, as duty bearer to ensure the prohibition of torture and to expeditiously institute measures nationwide, including a comprehensive Plan of Action for Torture Prevention be developed, taking into account three interrelated elements including a legal framework that prohibits torture, effective implementation of the legal framework and mechanisms to monitor the legal framework and its implementation.

SUHAKAM reiterates its strong commitment to the fight against torture and continued advocacy for the accession to the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) and its Optional Protocol, and the prohibition against torture as is enshrined in both Article 5 of the Federal Constitution and Article 3 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

-TAMAT-

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Rahmat Mohamad

Pengerusi SUHAKAM

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

23 August 2022

KENYATAAN MEDIA

KUALA LUMPUR (23 OGOS 2022)  –  Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) menyokong pendirian Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Parlimen dan Undang-undang) tentang hukuman sebatan yang boleh dianggap keterlaluan dan bahawa Kerajaan melalui Bahagian Hal Ehwal Undang-undang (BHEUU) serta Jabatan Peguam Negara (AGC) sedang mengkaji hukuman alternatif bagi menggantikan hukuman tersebut yang pelaksanaannya dilihat keterlaluan.

SUHAKAM telah mengambil pelbagai langkah memperjuangkan penghapusan hukuman sebatan serta segala bentuk hukuman yang keterlaluan atau menjatuhkan maruah dan telah mengesyorkan kepada Kerajaan untuk memansuhkan semua undang-undang domestik yang membenarkan pelaksanaan hukuman sebatan seperti sebat dan rotan, yang mana ianya tidak selaras dengan prinsip hak asasi manusia antarabangsa.

SUHAKAM menyeru Kerajaan sebagai pihak yang berwajib untuk memastikan larangan sebarang bentuk penyeksaan dan segera melaksanakan langkah-langkah perlu di seluruh negara termasuk membangunkan Pelan Tindakan Pencegahan Penyeksaan, dengan mengambil kira tiga elemen yang berkaitan termasuk rangka kerja undang-undang yang melarang penyeksaan, pelaksanaan rangka kerja undang-undang yang berkesan dan mekanisme untuk memantau pelaksanaannya.

SUHAKAM mengulangi komitmennya untuk memerangi penyeksaan dan advokasi berterusan ke arah penyertaan kepada Konvensyen Menentang Penyeksaan dan Layanan atau Hukuman Lain yang Zalim, Tidak Berperikemanusiaan atau Menjatuhkan Maruah (UNCAT) dan Protokol Pilihannya, dan larangan terhadap penyeksaan seperti yang termaktub dalam Perkara 5 Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan Perkara 3 Perisytiharan  Hak Asasi Manusia Sejagat (UDHR) 1948.

-TAMAT-

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Rahmat Mohamad

Pengerusi

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

23 Ogos 2022

Kenyataan Media

KUALA LUMPUR (7 AUGUST  2022) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) noted the Court of Appeal’s decision on 5 August 2022 in the case of Government of Malaysia vs Suriani Kempe & Ors, which overturned the Kuala Lumpur High Court decision of 9 September 2021 which allowed Malaysian mothers with a non-Malaysian spouse to confer citizenship to their foreign-born children through operation of law.

SUHAKAM wishes to express its disappointment on the recent Court of Appeal’s decision which will negatively impact, not only upon Malaysian mothers but also affecting their children, particularly in meeting their basic needs including access to medical services, education, citizenship and other rights guaranteed to all Malaysian citizens under Malaysian law.

SUHAKAM recalls the Government’s commitment under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and its commitment to ensure that domestic legislations should affirm the principles of equality between men and women without any discrimination and to protect and fulfil children’s basic rights.

As a country that has ratified both instruments, Malaysia should implement the principle of bona fide to ensure the principles of the instruments are implemented and applied in Malaysian laws with sincerity in both intention and action, instead of ratifying without any intention to see it through.

The Council of Rulers had, on 23 November 2021, approved the recommendation to establish a Committee to work on the amendment of Article 14(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution (Committee) and noted that the Committee was expected to present the outcome of its consultations and research within six months. However, the six months have since passed, and no such presentation has been made to date. SUHAKAM stresses the importance for the amendment to Article 14(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution, and any delays in doing so is a deliberate negligence of meeting the rights of women and children in Malaysia.

Many children are separated from their families and even suffer mental health issues due to the uncertainties relating to the status of their citizenship; which is not in line with the intent and spirit of the “Keluarga Malaysia” concept. Malaysian women are also forced to migrate to foreign countries because their children are not accepted in Malaysia.

SUHAKAM urges the Government to expedite its earlier proposal to amend Part II of the Second Schedule of the Federal Constitution towards the realisation of Malaysia’s commitment, in line with Malaysia’s current membership on the UN Human Rights Council and its responsibility to achieve gender equality and fulfil the rights of children.

SUHAKAM supports the obiter dictum of His Lordship Datuk Nantha Balan a/l E.S Moorthy that status quo should be maintained for the overseas-born children of the six Malaysian mothers who had earlier obtained their Malaysian citizenship papers, until such time the Federal Court decides on their appeal. The applications of other Malaysian mothers who had applied citizenship for their overseas-born children but were not party to the earlier lawsuit, should be put on hold and not be rejected.

SUHAKAM calls on the Government to provide a permanent solution to the plight of these Malaysian mothers and their children, to remain as one family.

-TAMAT-

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

7 August 2022

Media queries: Contact Mrs. Norashikin Hamzah at 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 or shikin@suhakam.org.my

KENYATAAN MEDIA

KUALA LUMPUR (7 OGOS 2022)  –  SUHAKAM mengambil maklum keputusan Mahkamah Rayuan pada 5 Ogos 2022 dalam kes Kerajaan Malaysia vs Suriani Kempe & 6 Yang Lain yang telah mengakas keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur pada 9 September 2021 lalu yang membenarkan seorang ibu warganegara Malaysia yang berkahwin dengan lelaki bukan warganegara Malaysia untuk memberikan kewarganegaraan melalui operasi undang-undang kepada anak-anak mereka yang lahir di luar negara.

SUHAKAM menzahirkan rasa kecewa kerana keputusan Mahkamah Rayuan ini akan memberikan kesan negatif bukan sahaja kepada ibu warganegara Malaysia tetapi juga kepada anak-anak mereka khususnya dalam mendapat akses kepada hak-hak asas seperti akses kepada kemudahan perubatan, pendidikan, kewarganegaraan dan lain-lain yang dijamin oleh undang-undang Malaysia kepada setiap warganegara.

SUHAKAM mengimbau komitmen Malaysia terhadap Konvensyen Hak Kanak-Kanak (CRC) dan Konvensyen Penghapusan Segala Bentuk Diskriminasi Terhadap Wanita (CEDAW) untuk memastikan perundangan tempatan memberikan hak yang saksama antara lelaki dan perempuan tanpa sebarang diskriminasi dan melindungi anak-anak serta memastikan pemenuhan terhadap hak asasi mereka.

Selaku negara yang telah meratifikasikan kedua-dua instrumen, Malaysia sewajarnya melaksanakan prinsip bona fide iaitu suci hati, niat dan tindakan untuk memartabatkan prinsip-prinsip di dalam instrumen dengan memastikan ia dilaksanakan dan diterapkan dalam perundangan Malaysia, dan bukan sekadar meratifikasi tanpa niat untuk menjayakannya.

Pada 23 November 2021, Majlis Raja-Raja telah memperkenan cadangan penubuhan Jawatankuasa Cadangan Pindaan perenggan (b) Fasal (1) Perkara 14 Perlembagaan Persekutuan (Jawatankuasa) dan mengambil maklum bahawa Jawatankuasa dijangka akan membentangkan hasil konsultasi dan kajian dalam tempoh enam (6) bulan. Walau bagaimanapun, tempoh enam (6) bulan tersebut telah berlalu dan tiada sebarang pembentangan berhubung yang sama dibuat. SUHAKAM menegaskan bahawa pindaan perenggan (b) Fasal (1) Perkara 14 Perlembagaan Persekutuan tersebut amat mustahak untuk dilaksanakan dengan segera di Parlimen, dan kelewatan dalam melaksanakannya adalah satu pengabaian terancang terhadap hak wanita dan kanak-kanak di Malaysia.

Ketidakpastian status kewarganegaraan ini mengakibatkan ramai kanak-kanak terpaksa berpisah dari keluarga mereka dan mengakibatkan mereka mengalami tekanan mental. Ini tidak mencapai hasrat di sebalik semangat Keluarga Malaysia. Wanita warganegara Malaysia juga terpaksa berhijrah ke negara asing kerana anak-anak mereka tidak diterima di Malaysia.

SUHAKAM juga menggesa agar pindaan terhadap Bahagian II Jadual Kedua Perlembagaan Persekutuan sebagaimana yang dicadangkan oleh Kerajaan Malaysia disegerakan bagi merealisasikan komitmen Malaysia yang kini merupakan negara anggota Majlis Hak Asasi Manusia Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu terhadap kesaksamaan gender serta pemenuhan hak terhadap kanak-kanak.

SUHAKAM menyokong obiter dictum YA Datuk Nantha Balan a/l E.S Moorthy untuk mengekalkan status quo permohonan enam (6) orang kanak-kanak yang dilahirkan di luar negara daripada ibu warganegara Malaysia sehingga rayuan ini dimuktamadkan oleh Mahkamah Persekutuan. Manakala, bagi ibu warganegara Malaysia yang memohon kerakyatan anak-anak mereka berdasarkan keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur sebelum ini tetapi bukanlah pihak-pihak di dalam guaman di atas, permohonan mereka perlulah dibekukan sementara dan bukan ditolak.

SUHAKAM menyeru Kerajaan untuk menyediakan penyelesaian kepada kepayahan ibu warganegara Malaysia dan anak-anak mereka untuk kekal sebagai satu keluarga.

-TAMAT-

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

7 Ogos 2022

Pertanyaan Media: Sila hubungi Pn. Norashikin Hamzah melalui 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 atau shikin@suhakam.org.my

Kenyataan Media

KUALA LUMPUR (4 AUGUST  2022) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) had received a complaint, in relation to the death of 36 year old Kim Shih Keat in Kluang Prison, Johor, on 28 June 2022.

In line with its power as defined under the Human Rights Commission Act 1999 [Act 597], SUHAKAM has initiated an investigation and, thus far, obtained detailed information from the family of the deceased, as well as recorded statements from prison officers and the prisoner’s cellmates at the Kluang Prison on 2 August 2022.

SUHAKAM takes a serious view of death in custody (DIC) cases and continues to engage with the relevant stakeholders to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and, to enact or review of relevant laws in addressing this issue. SUHAKAM is of the view that all DIC cases should be investigated through an inquest process which is transparent and comprehensive in manner. SUHAKAM wishes to reiterate the importance of Custodial Health Unit (CHU) in Police Detention Centres which aims to monitor and manage the health of those detained, to minimise the risk of DICs. This initiative was initiated by SUHAKAM in collaboration with the Royal Police Malaysia (PDRM) and Ministry of Health (MOH).

SUHAKAM had published the report on “Deaths in Police Custody: a Thematic Study on Lock-Up Conditions and Factors Contributing to Death” in 2016, and “The Right to Health in Prison in Malaysia” in 2017. Both reports highlighted the importance of on-going monitoring and management of detainees’ health while they are in detention.

The right to life is guaranteed in Article 5(1) of the Federal Constitution, Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). DIC remains, as it always has been, a major focus and SUHAKAM stands ready to work with the authorities to identify ways and means to reduce the risk of DICs.

-TAMAT-

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

4 August 2022

Media queries: Contact Mrs. Norashikin Hamzah at 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 or shikin@suhakam.org.my

KENYATAAN MEDIA

KUALA LUMPUR (4 OGOS 2022)  –  Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) telah menerima aduan berkenaan kes kematian Kim Shih Keat, 36 tahun, yang ditemui mati di Penjara Kluang, Johor pada 28 Jun 2022.

Selaras dengan bidang  kuasanya, SUHAKAM telah bertindak di bawah Akta Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia 1999 [Akta 597] menjalankan siasatan dan telah merekodkan maklumat terperinci daripada keluarga mendiang serta membuat lawatan ke Penjara Kluang pada 2 Ogos 2022 untuk mendapatkan keterangan lanjut serta merekodkan keterangan anggota penjara dan juga rakan sel yang berkenaan.

SUHAKAM memandang serius isu kematian dalam tahanan dan sering mengadakan perbincangan dengan kesemua pihak berkepentingan untuk merangka prosedur operasi standard (SOP) dan juga penggubalan atau pindaan undang-undang yang perlu untuk mengatasi isu ini. SUHAKAM berpendirian bahawa kesemua kematian dalam tahanan seharusnya disiasat secara terbuka dan menyeluruh melalui prosiding inkues. SUHAKAM ingin menekankan akan kepentingan penubuhan Unit Kesihatan Dalam Tahanan Polis yang berperanan untuk memantau dan menguruskan perkhidmatan kesihatan di pusat tahanan polis bagi mengurangkan risiko kejadian  kematian dalam tahanan. Inisiatif ini dimulakan oleh SUHAKAM dengan kerjasama Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) dan juga Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM).

Pada 2016, SUHAKAM telah menerbitkan laporan bertajuk “Kematian Dalam Tahanan Polis: Satu Kaji Selidik Mengenai Keadaan Lokap dan Faktor-faktor Penyumbang kepada Kematian” dan pada 2017 SUHAKAM juga telah menerbitkan laporan bertajuk “Hak Kepada Kesihatan di dalam Penjara: Laporan dan Hasil Kaji Selidik di Malaysia” yang mana kedua-dua laporan ini menekankan akan kepentingan untuk memantau serta menguruskan kesihatan tahanan semasa mereka berada dalam tahanan.

Hak kepada nyawa adalah dijamin di bawah Perkara 5 (1) Perlembagaan Persekutuan, Perkara 3 Perisytiharan Hak Asasi Manusia Sejagat (UDHR) dan Perkara 6 Kovenan Antarabangsa mengenai Hak Sivil dan Politik (ICCPR). Isu kematian dalam tahanan akan kekal menjadi fokus utama dan SUHAKAM sentiasa bersedia   bekerjasama dengan pihak berkuasa mencari jalan dan cara untuk mengurangkan risiko kematian dalam tahanan.

-TAMAT-

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

4 Ogos 2022

Pertanyaan Media: Sila hubungi Pn. Norashikin Hamzah melalui 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 atau shikin@suhakam.org.my

Kenyataan Media

KUALA LUMPUR (26 APRIL 2022) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) expresses grave disappointment with the remarks by the Mufti of Perlis, Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin (also known as Dr Maza), on Muslim lawyers “that Islam forbade them from protecting wrongdoers or sinners, adding that it was sinful and haram for them to accept service payment from offenders”.

The law is that Article 5(3) of the Federal Constitution guarantees the right to be represented by a legal practitioner of a person’s choice, and Article 8 provides constitutional protection, whereby all persons are equal and are entitled to equal protection by the law. Access to justice is a basic human right and an important element in any legal system.

SUHAKAM supports the statement by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament & Law), YB Dato’ Sri Dr Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar that “lawyers had no power to declare whether a person was guilty or innocent” and “only judges have the authority on the matter”.

In furtherance to this, SUHAKAM reiterates its call that necessary steps should be taken to ensure that the fundamental, and constitutionally guaranteed, right to legal representation is upheld.  Access to legal counsel is a cornerstone of our criminal justice system, and a crucial safeguard for the rights of a detained person. The right to be represented by a legal practitioner of a person’s choice, is a basic human right that needs to be respected. A person is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty and as such he is entitled to legal representation and the right to be defended in a court of law.

-TAMAT-

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

26 April 2022

Media queries: Contact Mrs. Norashikin Hamzah at 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 or shikin@suhakam.org.my

Kenyataan Media

KUALA LUMPUR (26 APRIL 2022)  –  The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) is deeply distressed and concerned over the recent news that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will commence an investigation into a report of an allegation of corruption against YA Dato’ Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali, JCA (“YA Dato’ Nazlan”), an action that is unconstitutional and unprecedented by MACC, given that there are specific provisions under the Federal Constitution, to deal with allegations of wrong doing against superior court  judges.

Article 125(3A) of the Federal Constitution provides that where a superior court judge has allegedly committed a breach of any of the provisions of the Code of Ethics and the Chief Justice is of the opinion that the breach does not warrant the superior court judge to be referred to a tribunal for removal from office pursuant to Clause (4), then the Chief Justice can refer the matter to the Judges’ Ethics Committee established pursuant to the Judges’ Ethics Committee Act 2010 [Act 703].  SUHAKAM subscribes to and supports the principle of separation of powers to ensure the integrity and independence of the Judiciary is protected and to avoid any interference and political pressure against any member of the Judiciary at any time.

SUHAKAM questions the motive of MACC in launching the investigation and is of the view that MACC’s proposed investigation will set a negative and dangerous precedent that may undermine the Judiciary as an institution and as one of the pillars of a democratic Government. This may also open the floodgate to frivolous and vexatious charges and abuse of process by enforcement agencies against the Judiciary.

SUHAKAM supports the view that all judges must have the proper space to discharge their judicial duties in a manner apparent to all, and that the judicial process and decision is independent, free of any interference, considered, reasoned and honest.  Above all that, it is vital for justice not only to be seen to be done but must be done according to the law.

Accordingly, SUHAKAM calls upon the MACC to stop all investigations against YA Dato’ Nazlan, immediately.

-TAMAT-

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

26 April 2022

Media queries: Contact Mrs. Norashikin Hamzah at 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 or shikin@suhakam.org.my