The meeting was held on 15 May 2000 in Wisma Putra, Kuala Lumpur. It was the first meeting of Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) with any public groups and it had chosen to meet with Aliran, Hakam and Suaram. The Chairman of Suhakam had earlier explained that the three were placed "in the forefront" of the struggle for human rights and civil liberties in Malaysia. In fact, the three had always worked with other NGOs, associations, societies and individuals to further a long-standing campaign for human rights. Appropriately, ten days earlier, they had convened a meeting with these others to discuss a common response to Suhakam's invitation to the three. Following that meeting a Joint Non-Governmental Organisation Memorandum to Suhakam was prepared by Aliran on behalf of the three. The Memorandum was then circulated and endorsed by 31 other NGOs ranging from ABIM, Alaigal and Amnesty International Malaysia to the United Chinese School Committees Association, Women's Agenda for Change and Women's Development Collective. This Memorandum was presented by Aliran, Hakam and Suaram to Suhakam at the 15 May meeting. Tan Sri Musa Hitam, the Chairman of Suhakam, was the first to speak. He welcomed those present. Then he elaborated on the background leading to the formation of Suhakam, claiming credit for having first raised the matter, and then persuading the prime minister to accept the idea. The leaders of the three NGOs were next invited to introduce their representatives and to address the meeting. P Ramakrishnan (Aliran), Raja Aziz Addruse (Hakam) and Dr Kua Kia Soong (Suaram), in turn, spoke. Taken together, the three covered the major points contained in the Joint Memorandum. After the three had finished, Musa Hitam responded to some of the issues raised. By way of introducing the other Suhakam Commissioners, he invited them to respond too. The other representatives of Aliran, Hakam and Suaram also joined in the discussion. Important issues were raised in a cordial atmosphere. The discussion was free flowing. The meeting was useful. The NGOs had an opportunity to express directly to Suhakam their concerns over the shortcomings of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999. They urged Suhakam to seek amendments to the new law, indeed to recommend the repeal of all coercive laws. Suhakam was also reminded that it must be autonomous and courageous in the discharge of its duties, and yet remain accessible, accountable, responsive and transparent to ordinary Malaysians. It must strenuously avoid becoming an appendage of the government. Finally, the NGOs insisted that human rights is not a legal matter. Ultimately, it is a question of the dignity of the person, nothing more, nothing less. Towards the upholding of that dignity, the NGOs offered their services and co-operation to Suhakam. And invited Suhakam to become the institutional expression of a long and continuing tradition of popular struggles to protect human rights in Malaysia. |
