Perbahasan Laporan Tahunan Suhakam 2023 di Parlimen disambut baik (Malay/English)

[ENGLISH VERSION BELOW] Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (Suhakam) merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan kepada kerajaan Malaysia, khususnya kepada Azalina Othman Said, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri untuk undang-undang dan reformasi institusi, atas komitmen berterusan beliau dalam memastikan pembentangan dan perbahasan Laporan Tahunan Suhakam 2023 berjaya dilaksanakan di Dewan Rakyat pada 24 Julai.

Ini merupakan satu langkah penting ke hadapan dalam memperkukuh mekanisme kawal dan imbang institusi serta prinsip ketelusan dan kebertanggungjawaban dalam tadbir urus awam.

Seramai 39 ahli Parlimen telah mengambil bahagian dalam perbahasan ini, mengutarakan pelbagai isu penting berkaitan hak asasi manusia yang meliputi kerangka undang-undang, kebajikan, kesejahteraan sosial dan integriti institusi.

Antara isu utama yang diketengahkan termasuk:

• Kelewatan pelantikan pengerusi dan pesuruhjaya Suhakam, berserta cadangan untuk mempertingkat ketelusan dan keterangkuman dalam proses pemilihan
• Keadaan daif di lokap dan pusat tahanan, termasuk kematian dalam tahanan, kesesakan, perkhidmatan kesihatan yang tidak mencukupi, serta penggunaan sistem bucket yang masih digunakan di Papar dan Miri
• Pelaksanaan penahanan tanpa perbicaraan di bawah Akta Kesalahan Keselamatan (Langkah-Langkah Khas) 2012 (Sosma), dengan gesaan supaya moratorium dilaksanakan dan penubuhan mahkamah khas bagi mempercepatkan proses keadilan
• Isu hak tanah Orang Asli dan Orang Asal, dengan penekanan kepada keperluan mendesak untuk mengiktiraf dan mewartakan tanah adat
• Cabaran kewarganegaraan dan status tanpa kerakyatan, khususnya melibatkan kanak-kanak tidak berdokumen, serta keperluan untuk memperkenalkan unit pendaftaran bergerak oleh agensi kerajaan berkaitan
• Hak sosioekonomi kumpulan rentan termasuk pekerja gig dan e-hailing yang masih belum dilindungi secara menyeluruh di bawah kerangka undang-undang sedia ada
• Diskriminasi kaum, agama dan xenofobia yang berleluasa, yang memerlukan usaha menyeluruh melalui pendidikan inklusif dan dasar kebangsaan
• Gesaan agar pelaksanaan syor Suhakam diperkukuh, termasuk cadangan untuk menubuhkan jawatankuasa pilihan khas parlimen bagi memantau tindakan susulan.

Suhakam menghargai maklum balas konstruktif dan komitmen daripada pelbagai kementerian serta agensi berkaitan terhadap isu-isu hak asasi manusia yang mendesak.

Ini termasuk usaha:

• memperbaiki akses kepada air bersih dan penjagaan kesihatan awam di kawasan pedalaman
• memperluas unit kesihatan dalam tahanan di pusat tahanan
• mengintegrasikan pendidikan hak asasi manusia yang selaras dengan nilai Islam
• memperkenalkan reformasi undang-undang dan dasar yang memberi manfaat kepada masyarakat Orang Asli, orang kurang upaya (OKU), dan pekerja ekonomi gig

Suhakam turut mengambil maklum sokongan berterusan Malaysia terhadap isu-isu kemanusiaan antarabangsa, terutamanya yang berkaitan dengan konflik di Palestin.

Laporan Tahunan Suhakam 2023 menekankan tujuh bidang utama iaitu:

• Hak kanak-kanak, wanita, warga emas, OKU dan komuniti Orang Asli/Asal
• Hak banduan dan penahanan yang adil
• Isu perkauman, diskriminasi berdasarkan agama dan kebencian
• Hak ekonomi, sosial dan kebudayaan
• Perniagaan dan hak asasi manusia
• Reformasi undang-undang serta kerjasama serantau dan antarabangsa
• Reformasi institusi dalam Suhakam termasuk pendigitalan operasi

Suhakam ingin merakamkan penghargaan khas kepada Senator Naim Mokhtar, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri untuk hal ehwal agama, atas komitmen dan sokongan beliau dalam memajukan wacana hak asasi manusia dalam kerangka Islam. Usaha beliau dalam mempromosikan kefahaman inklusif dan penyelarasan antara maqasid syariah dan prinsip hak asasi sejagat amat dihargai.

Suhakam turut menyampaikan penghargaan istimewa kepada M Kulasegaran, Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri untuk undang-undang dan reformasi institusi, atas penggulungan perbahasan dan dedikasi beliau dalam memajukan agenda hak asasi manusia demi kesejahteraan rakyat Malaysia.

Suhakam menegaskan bahawa iltizam politik amat penting, bukan sekadar hanya dalam membentang dan membahas laporan tahunan, tetapi pelaksanaan tindakan susulan terhadap isu-isu yang dibangkitkan.

Laporan ini berfungsi sebagai platform kepada Parlimen dan semua pihak berkepentingan untuk menyuarakan isu, berkongsi pandangan serta yang paling penting, mendorong tindakan segera oleh agensi kerajaan dalam melaksanakan cadangan Suhakam.

Hak asasi manusia pada asasnya berpaksikan maruah, kesaksamaan dan kebertanggungjawaban. Suhakam menegaskan bahawa laporan tahunan ini bukan sekadar satu keperluan prosedur, tetapi merupakan mekanisma kebertanggungjawaban yang penting dalam menilai kemajuan negara dalam menjunjung hak asasi manusia.

Suhakam mengalu-alukan kerjasama berterusan dengan kerajaan, ahli Parlimen, organisasi masyarakat sivil dan sektor swasta demi memastikan hak setiap individu di Malaysia dihormati, dilindungi dan dipenuhi.

Untuk maklumat lanjut, bacalah Laporan Tahunan Suhakam  2023 di sini. – Suhakam

English version

Suhakam welcomes parliamentary debate of its 2023 annual report

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) extends its sincere appreciation to the government of Malaysia, particularly Azalina Othman Said, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for law and institutional reform, for her continued commitment in ensuring the successful presentation and debate of Suhakam’s 2023 Annual Report in the House of Representatives on 24 July.

This marks a significant step forward in strengthening institutional checks and balances and reinforcing the principles of transparency and accountability in public governance.

A total of 39 MPs participated in the debate, raising critical human rights concerns spanning legal frameworks, welfare, social wellbeing and institutional integrity.

Among the key issues highlighted were:

• The delay in the appointment of Suhakam’s chairperson and commissioners, along with proposals to enhance transparency and inclusivity in the selection process
• Deplorable conditions in lock-ups and detention centres, including deaths in custody, overcrowding, inadequate medical services and outdated facilities, such as the continued use of the bucket system in Papar and Miri
• The continued use of prolonged detention without trial under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), with calls for a moratorium and the establishment of a special court to expedite justice
• Issues relating to Indigenous land rights, with emphasis on the urgent need to recognise and gazette native customary lands
• Citizenship and statelessness challenges, particularly affecting undocumented children, and the need for mobile registration units by relevant government agencies
• The socioeconomic rights of vulnerable groups, including gig and ride-hailing workers, who remain inadequately protected under current legal frameworks
• The prevalence of racial, religious and xenophobic discrimination, which require comprehensive responses through inclusive education and national policies
• Calls for enhanced implementation of Suhakam’s recommendations, including a proposal for the establishment of a parliamentary select committee to monitor follow-up actions

Suhakam also acknowledges the constructive responses and commitments from various ministries and agencies on pressing human rights matters.

These include efforts to:

• improve access to clean water and public healthcare in remote areas
• expand the custodial health unit in detention centres
• incorporate human rights education aligned with Islamic values
• introduce legal and policy reforms benefiting Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities and gig economy workers

Suhakam further notes Malaysia’s continued support for international humanitarian causes, particularly in relation to Palestine.

The 2023 Annual Report highlights seven core areas of focus:

• The rights of children, women, older persons, people with disabilities and Indigenous communities.
• The rights of prisoners and fair detention practices
• Issues of racial, religious and hate-based discrimination
• Economic, social and cultural rights
• Business and human rights
• Legal reform as well as regional and international cooperation
• Institutional reform within Suhakam, including the digitalisation of operations

Suhakam wishes to record its special appreciation to Senator Naim Mokhtar, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for religious affairs, for his commitment and support in advancing the discourse on human rights within the Islamic framework. His efforts in promoting inclusive understanding and alignment between maqasid Sharia and universal human rights principles are deeply valued.

Suhakam expresses its special gratitude to M Kulasegaran, the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for law and institutional reform, for concluding the debate and for his unwavering dedication to advancing the human rights agenda for the benefit of all the people.

Suhakam reiterates that political will is essential, not only to table the annual report but also to meaningfully debate and take the necessary actions on the issues raised.

The report serves as a platform for Parliament and all stakeholders to express concerns, share insights and, most importantly, drive tangible actions by relevant government agencies in implementing Suhakam’s recommendations.

Human rights fundamentally revolve around dignity, equality and accountability. Suhakam stresses that the annual report is not merely a procedural requirement but also a vital accountability mechanism to assess national progress in upholding human rights.

Suhakam welcomes continued collaboration with the government, Parliament, civil society and the private sector to ensure that the rights of all individuals in Malaysia are respected, protected and fulfilled.

Read the full Suhakam 2023 Annual Report here. – Suhakam

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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