Gerakan Youth has urged the government to hasten appointing commissioners for Suhakam as a delay will prevent the national human rights body from discharging its crucial role in handling human rights issues in Malaysia.

Gerakan Youth chief Lim Si Pin further reminded the government that leaving Suhakam without any commissioners for 44 days does not speak well for Malaysia’s image and credibility, as one of the countries that just got elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council on May 13.

“The government certainly owes the people an explanation on this unreasonable delay,” he said.

Lim reiterated that Suhakam should be given more freedom and power to deal with cases of human rights violations, so as to shed its “toothless tiger” image.

He said it was important to protect the rights of citizens, irrespective of whether they are majority or minority groups, women or children.

Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin and Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo have found it inexcusable that Suhakam has been without commissioners since April 24. They said they would raise the matter in the current Parliament meeting.