The appointments of Selayang Umno chief Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican and Kulim Umno women’s chief Nazira Abdul Rahim as commissioners in 2022 had been criticised by civil society due to their political ties.

They completed their stints despite calls to step down but were not given a second term – the maximum allowed under the Suhakam Act.

In a statement, Shamsul said Mariati Robert, who was on a Suhakam panel probing alleged human rights violations at Taiping prison, had been given a second term as commissioner.

The other appointees are Dahim Danot, K Bathmavathi, Ahmad Azam Ab Rahman, Tay Lee Ly and Abdul Kadir Jailani Ismail, all of whom will be serving their first term as commissioners.

They were appointed for a three-year term until Aug 19, 2028.

The new commissioners join chief children’s commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki and other Suhakam commissioners Al Adib Samuri, Zufar Yadi, Brendan Abdullah and Melissa Akhir.