KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 — The amendments to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Act 1999 (Act 597) will strengthen the commission’s function in children’s rights by appointing a Chief Children Commissioner and two Children Commissioners.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said Suhakam would now have the power to visit any detention centre or institution for children.
In addition, the Act’s amendments would further strengthen the functions of the relevant positions, which include their role in monitoring the implementation of laws related to children.
“The role of a chief and two (children) commissioners is not for policing, not for enforcement…but they are educators and informants in human rights matters relating to children.
“Just like the commission’s representatives in Sabah and Sarawak, they also help in the issues of stateless children,” she said when winding up the debate on the bill in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Azalina said children’s affairs are not only under the jurisdiction of the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry but are also the responsibility of 21 other agencies and departments which apply 42 laws related to children.
Meanwhile, she added that any person who is actively involved in politics and registered with any political party shall not be appointed as a commission member.
This amendment is in line with the government’s aspiration to ensure that the commission’s membership encompasses all groups of society and that the commission carries out its functions independently and with integrity.
The bill was later passed with a voice vote.
— Bernama
