HUMAN RIGHTS BILL TABLED

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) (Amendment) Bill 2009, tabled for first reading in Lower House of Parliament Tuesday, will ensure more transparency in the appointment of members.

The Suhakam bill was tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
Mohamed Nazri Aziz.

It proposed that members appointed should be individuals with a multi-
religious, multi-political and multi-racial background who have the knowledge or
experience in human rights.

A Suhakam member would be allowed to hold the post for three years and could
only be re-appointed once for another three years.

The appointments should be made by the King on the
recommendation of the Prime Minister based on discussions with a committee set
up for the purpose.

The committee would include the Chief Secretary to the Government as
chairman, the Suhakam chairman and three members comprising respected figures
appointed by the Prime Minister.

The three members could include former judges and former Suhakam
members.

It also stated that those active in politics and registered with political
paerties and were enforcement officers could not be appointed committee members.

However, the Prime Minister was not bound by the views and proposals made by
the committee.

-- BERNAMA