On Tuesday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Paul Low stated that budget cuts had left Suhakam confined to operating only in the Klang Valley.

According to Low, who is in charge of governance, integrity and human rights, the move came following cuts in Suhakam’s 2016 budget, which plunged from almost RM11 million to merely RM5.5 million.

Proham Secretary-General Dr Denison Jayasooria condemned the decision to do so, saying that the work of Suhakam should not be undermined but instead enhanced in accordance with international human rights standards.

“The promotion and protection work must have a national coverage to all the states in the peninsula as well as the states of Sabah and Sarawak.

“It is totally unacceptable that the government of Malaysia is unable to find an additional RM5 million for Suhakam in 2016.

“The budget cut by 50% is unacceptable as a RM10 to RM12 million annual grant is a very small sum in light of the total federal spending.

“It is unbelievable that the government is unable to find the additional funds which it is obligated to provide,” Denison said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, he also said that it was “unacceptable” that there was a Commission without commissioners.

“It is the duty of the Federal Government to ensure that the appointments are made in due time of the expiry of the tenure of Commissioners. This failure to comply with human rights standards and obligations is reflective of the low priority placed on human rights by the current administration.

“We call on the Federal Government to fulfill its obligations based on the Suhakam Act as well as Malaysia’s international obligations,” he said.