Suhakam to formulate demo guidelines 
K Kabilan and Leong Kar Yen

6:00pm, Tue: The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) will recommend the legitimisation of peaceful demonstrations in its first annual report to the Parliament. 

Suhakam chairman Musa Hitam said the report will also include guidelines on “ways and means to demonstrate”. 

The commission was in the process of consulting with relevant authorities on the possibility of putting a clear recommendation on the right to demonstrate, he added. 

Musa said the report was likely to be submitted to the Parliament in April. The Human Rights Act stipulates that Suhakam, formed last April, must submit an annual report to Parliament on its activities as well as proposals to improve the standard of human rights in the country. 

“The commission is already actively discussing the holding of demonstrations and we are looking at how the demonstrations should be held and how to go about having a peaceful one,” said Musa after a function at National Institute of Public Administration (Intan) today. 

‘Demonstrations galore’ 

However, Musa refused to comment on the recent spate of demonstrations that took place during the past week in the country. 

The police are alleged to have used high-handed methods to disperse the crowds at demonstrations in Jitra, Kulim and Kubang Pasu, all in Kedah. Reformasi demonstrations in the city last Saturday saw seven people arrested by the police. 

Nevertheless, Musa ruled out holding any inquiries to investigate any breaches of human rights in these demonstrations. 

“Each demonstration has allegations of misdeeds by other parties and we can’t look into everything. There is also a demonstration galore nowadays,” said Musa, adding that Suhakam was also short-staffed and couldn’t handle too many inquiries. 

He added that the on-going inquiry into allegations of abuse of powers by the police on demonstrators at the Kesas Highway was also to highlight to all the dangers of demonstrations getting out of control. 

He said that the outcome of the inquiry will not be included in Suhakam’s report as the report was for activities done last year. The inquiry’s findings will be reported next year. 

Repressive laws 

Musa also said that the report will include Suhakam’s views on laws that affect human rights standards. 

“We will list down the laws that deserve attention and will include the Internal Security Act, the Official Secrets Act, the Police Act, the Printing Presses and Publications Act and others.” 

He said that Suhakam will first consult non-governmental organisations, including the Bar Council, the police as well as the government, before making its recommendations on the laws.