Alfonso Min claims he was demoted from Grade 48 to Grade 41 without “due process” in August, allegedly for underperformance, resulting in a salary reduction.

Min, who is based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, denies underperforming and insists that he had consistently fulfilled his duties responsibly and efficiently.

He questioned the manner in which he was assessed, saying it was carried out only by one person instead of two, namely the deputy secretary and the secretary.

In his case, he claimed that his performance was only reviewed by the secretary.

“This unprecedented action in Suhakam’s history raises alarming concerns about procedural integrity and employee rights,” he told FMT.

Following his demotion, Min, who joined Suhakam in 2013, claimed he was ordered to repay a portion of his salary from April to August 2024.

He also claimed that his appeals, submitted thrice, most recently in November, were summarily rejected.

“It was done without the formation of an appeals committee, further denying me due process,” he said.

Min also claimed that he was instructed to report to Suhakam’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur following his demotion.

He said that because he refused, his salary since November has been withheld and his EPF and Perkeso contributions remain unpaid.

He also said he was issued with a letter of disobedience last month for not reporting to the headquarters.

Min said his attempts to meet with Suhakam’s commissioners in December to present his appeal were “outrightly denied”.

“I have no other choice but to pursue legal action. I am in the process of filing for a judicial review at the Kota Kinabalu High Court to challenge Suhakam’s decision and to pursue appropriate legal measures against its top management,” he said.

A Suhakam spokesman said the commission will be issuing its statement soon.

“This issue involves internal HR procedures and the facts are being compiled,” the spokesman said.

Min’s claim against Suhakam comes in the wake of grouses over alleged salary increments granted to three Suhakam deputy secretaries, the alleged use of different performance assessment systems, and the exclusion of staff from the new public service remuneration system (SSPA).