Fellow Suhakam commissioner Ragunath Kesavan said the appointments of lawyers Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican and Nazira Abdul Rahim did not go against any provisions in the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999.
It was reported that Hasnal is the Selayang Umno deputy chief while Nazira is the head of the women’s wing of Kulim Umno. Hasnal was also reportedly Barisan Nasional’s former legal adviser.
Ragunath, a former Bar Council president, said there was no provision in the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act that prohibited individuals with political ties from becoming a Suhakam commissioner.
“Both of them are good lawyers who uphold the rule of law, so there is no issue over their political activities.
“It’s unfair to single out a person because of their political affiliation,” he said at a press conference, maintaining that their appointments had gone through a select committee.
Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub and Klang MP Charles Santiago had criticised Hasnal and Nazira’s appointments, questioning the lawyers’ track record in championing human rights.
Some 102 NGOs had also criticised their appointments, saying active politicians would not be able to perform their functions well as Suhakam commissioners.
The new Suhakam chairman, Rahmat Mohamad, had also been slammed over his past stance against ratifying the Rome Statute, by which Malaysia would accede to the International Criminal Court.
Coming to his defence, Ragunath said Rahmat had merely advised the Conference of Rulers against ratifying the Rome Statute in his capacity as a UiTM law professor.
“To do human rights works, (Suhakam commissioner appointments) should be open to everyone from all sections of society. So let us do our job, it’s only been two months,” he added.
The other Suhakam commissioners are former Jakim director-general Nordin Ibrahim; Malaysian Medical Council member Dr Chew Chee Ming; former Sabah attorney-general Mary @ Mariati Robert; and Noor Aziah Mohd Awal, the only one to be reappointed after becoming Suhakam’s first child commissioner in 2019.