The Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (Anni) warned that further delays in the release of the reports could risk derailing the important work Suhakam has done.

In a statement, Anni said that according to Section 21(1) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999, Suhakam must submit an annual report to Parliament no later than the first parliamentary sitting of the following year.

“The 2020 annual report should have been submitted to Parliament during the first parliamentary session of 2021 at the latest,” it said.

“Similarly, the 2021 annual report should have been tabled in the first parliamentary session of 2022, which ended on March 24.”

Anni said to date, the public, NGOs and civil society groups had received no explanation on the status of the reports.

It said neither the government nor Suhakam provided a formal announcement on whether the reports would be tabled during the next parliamentary session in July.

“The failure of Suhakam to follow the provision of its own founding act is worrying and raises concerns over how the commission is operating and fulfilling its mandate.”

Anni also expressed concern that Suhakam had been operating without commissioners for more than a month, adding that the vacancies could have a serious impact on its ability to defend human rights in Malaysia.

Suhakam has been left without any commissioners after their terms expired on April 26.

Anni’s statement was signed by the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), Korean House for International Solidarity, People’s Empowerment Foundation, Bytes for All, Progressive Voice, Law and Society Trust, Odhikar, Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy, All India Network of NGOs and Individuals Working with National and State Human Rights Institutions, and Joint Action for NHRI and Optional Protocols in Japan.