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This is what you get for voting in a parliament with almost zero opposition. Then again, some rumoured that the last election was rigged or made too difficult for the opposition to win anything.

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Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)

Original article...
Enact Freedom of Information Act, says Suhakam

6/21/2005

Beh Lih Yi
Malaysiakini.com

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has urged the government to enact a Freedom of Information Act.

In its 2004 annual report, tabled in Parliament today, Suhakam said the government must recognise the rights to seek, receive and impart information.

“Suhakam is of the view that transparency and accountability are the hallmarks of a truly democratic society. Freedom of information is necessary for such accountability to be guaranteed,” read the 334-page report.

However, the commission also noted that such freedom must be balanced with the right to privacy.

Under Malaysian law, freedom of expression is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution but laws such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act impinge on this.

The annual report also compiled other Malaysian human rights records last year covering areas of child rights, women’s rights, refugee and asylum seekers, housing rights and native customary land rights.

Suhakam said it had devoted much attention to issues relating to women, such as human trafficking, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discriminations Against Women and violence against women.

Among the recommendations made with regards to this include calling for the establishment of more shelters for domestic violence survivors, greater awareness of human rights as well as a network of cooperation between the government and non-governmental organisations.

Decision on Rohingya lauded

On refugees and asylum seekers, Suhakam commended the government’s intention to provide protection for the Rohingya community in Malaysia.

“Such protection will go a long way towards alleviating the situation of the de facto stateless Rohingya, many of whom have been residing illegally in the country for over 20 years,” it said.

On another matter, the commission urged the government to first consider whether there is enough room in prisons before amending any law to provide for increase or mandatory jail sentences in respect of any offence.

In addressing the issue of adequate housing, Suhakam reminded the authorities that adequate housing should encompass security of tenure, accessibility to essential services, affordability, accessibility to all including persons with disabilities, location and cultural adequacy.

It is unlikely the report would be debated in the House as previous attempts to do so had been in vain.

The Suhakam 2004 annual report was supposed to be tabled in Parliament in the last meeting from March 21 to April 28 as stipulated by law.

Suhakam said it submitted the report to the Parliament’s secretariat on April 6 but was uncertain why it was not tabled in the House.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazr Abdul Azizi, who oversees parliamentary affairs, refused to comment on this when asked today.

Whereas Dewan Rakyat secretary Abdullah Abdul Wahab has yet to reply to a written request, dated June 6, by malaysiakini on the matter.