SUHAKAM 2024 Report To Be Tabled In Parliament's Final Session
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said SUHAKAM is currently finalising the report, with improvements underway to streamline coordination and reporting processes.
'These include enhancing account closure and audit procedures in collaboration with the National Audit Department,' he said when winding up debate on SUHAKAM's 2023 annual report and financial statement today.
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Malay Mail
34 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Government must act on Suhakam's call without delay — Hafiz Hassan
AUGUST 3 — The call by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) on the government to implement a formal diversion policy for children in conflict with the law is long overdue. As explained by the commission, a diversion mechanism allows children accused of minor or non-violent offences to be redirected away from the criminal justice system into community-based programmes focused on education, counselling, and behavioural support. This approach would not only reduce the risk of criminalisation and social stigma but also address underlying issues such as trauma, neglect, or mental health. Such a policy is not a denial of accountability, but a shift towards restorative and rehabilitative justice which is proven to be more effective and humane for children. Diversion can be defined in different ways, but the term always refers to measures for dealing with children in conflict with the law without resorting to formal judicial proceedings or formal trial. A more comprehensive description of diversion is this: it is the channelling of children who are in conflict with the law away from judicial proceedings through the development and implementation of procedures or programmes that enable many - possibly most - to avoid the potential negative effects of formal judicial proceedings, provided that human rights and legal safeguards are fully respected. (See Unicef, Toolkit on Diversion and Alternatives to Detention, 2009) The purpose of diversion is to avoid instituting judicial proceedings against children in conflict with the law, or to suspend judicial proceedings, as well as to influence a child's proper development; to enhance their personal responsibility; and to promote their reintegration into society. Make no mistake that the use of the term is not recent. The writer says Suhakam is right to push for a child diversion policy — a move long championed by Unicef as key to protecting children's rights and futures. — Picture by Raymond Manuel According to Unicef, the term is already used by the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (1985), also called 'Beijing Rules'. It can be found in Rule 11 which reads as follows: 11. Diversion 11.1 Consideration shall be given, wherever appropriate, to dealing with juvenile offenders without resorting to formal trial by the competent authority. 11.2 The police, the prosecution or other agencies dealing with juvenile cases shall be empowered to dispose of such cases, at their discretion, without recourse to formal hearings, in accordance with the criteria laid down for that purpose in the respective legal system and also in accordance with the principles contained in these Rules. 11.3 Any diversion involving referral to appropriate community or other services shall require the consent of the juvenile, or her or his parents or guardian, provided that such decision to refer a case shall be subject to review by a competent authority, upon application. 11.4 In order to facilitate the discretionary disposition of juvenile cases, efforts shall be made to provide for community programmes, such as temporary supervision and guidance, restitution, and compensation of victims. The above acknowledges that diversion has been practised on a formal and informal basis in many legal systems. It serves to hinder the negative effects of subsequent proceedings in juvenile justice administration. Four years later in 1989, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is also said to have promoted diversion, without using the term. This can be found in Article 40(3)(b) which stipulates that 'State Parties shall seek to promote the establishment of laws, procedures, authorities and institutions specifically applicable to children alleged as, accused of, or recognised as having infringed the penal law, and, in particular … whenever appropriate and desirable, measures for dealing with such children without resorting to judicial proceedings, providing that human rights and legal safeguards are fully respected.' Diversion is also a measure in the United Nations Guidelines for Action on Children in the Criminal Justice System (1997), also called 'Vienna Guidelines'. The Guidelines provide a comprehensive set of measures that need to be implemented in order to establish a well-functioning system of juvenile justice administration, consistent with international standards. Guideline 42 on Diversion states as follows: 'To prevent further overreliance on criminal justice measures to deal with children's behaviour, efforts should be made to establish and apply programmes aimed at strengthening social assistance, which would allow for the diversion of children from the justice system, as appropriate, as well as improving the application of non-custodial measures and reintegration programmes. To establish and apply such programmes, it is necessary to foster close cooperation between the child justice sectors, different services in charge of law enforcement, social welfare and education sectors.' According to Unicef also, European instruments too have incorporated diversion, albeit not comprehensively. The European Rules for Juvenile Offenders Subject to Sanctions or Measures (2008) do not mention diversion, but the Guidelines of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on Child-Friendly Justice (2010) state as follows: 'Alternatives to judicial proceedings such as … diversion (of judicial mechanisms) … should be encouraged whenever this may best serve the child's best interests.' (See Guideline 24). This year is the 40th and 15th anniversaries of the Beijing Rules and the European Guidelines respectively. Do we sit further on diversion? Kudos to Suhakam — especially its Chief Children Commissioner, Dr Farah Nini Dusuki — for highlighting the term. The Madani government must act without delay. For the sake of our children – our greatest treasure and our future. * This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia hosts trilateral defence meeting ahead of Cambodia-Thailand GBC talks
KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin held a trilateral video conference with Cambodian and Thai counterparts to finalise preparations for the upcoming General Border Committee (GBC) meeting. The session included Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Tea Seiha and Thailand's Acting Defence Minister General Natthaphon Narkphanit. Mohamed Khaled emphasised Malaysia's commitment to facilitating peaceful dialogue, stating, 'This meeting is an important step in preparing for the Cambodia-Thailand GBC meeting scheduled for August 7 in Kuala Lumpur. In the spirit of ASEAN, Malaysia is fully committed to supporting an ASEAN-led peaceful resolution process.' The August 7 meeting will include observers from Malaysia, the US, and China. Preliminary discussions between Cambodian and Thai representatives are set for August 4–6. Mohamed Khaled added, 'These discussions reflect the commitment of all parties to peaceful negotiation and constructive dialogue. We hope it will contribute to our shared responsibility to preserve peace and stability in the ASEAN region.' The GBC talks aim to resolve a border dispute under a ceasefire agreement signed in Malaysia on July 28. Initially planned for Phnom Penh, Thailand later requested Malaysia as a neutral venue, extending discussions from one day to four. – Bernama
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
King to make historic state visit to Russia this week
KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, will undertake a state visit to Russia from Aug 5 to Aug 10 at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin. In a statement, Istana Negara announced that His Majesty will make history as the first Malaysian Head of State to conduct a state visit to Russia since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1967. 'This visit also reflects the important role of the Malaysian monarchy in advancing the nation's diplomacy,' it said yesterday. Istana Negara said that the visit will not only strengthen existing bilateral relations, but also open new avenues for cooperation in various fields, including trade, higher education, technology, innovation and people-to-people ties, Bernama reported. As Asean Chair in 2025, Malaysia will also play a major role in enhancing strategic cooperation, particularly in the context of Russia's status as an Asean Dialogue Partner since 1996. While in Moscow, Istana Negara said Sultan Ibrahim will be accorded a state welcome ceremony at the Kremlin by Putin, followed by an official meeting between the two Heads of State. 'His Majesty will also attend a state banquet hosted by the President of the Russian Federation,' Istana Negara said. His Majesty is then scheduled to visit the Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engines Institute (Nami), as well as the Tochka Kipeniya Technology and Innovation Hub. After concluding his programme in Moscow, His Majesty will travel to Kazan in the Republic of Tatarstan on Aug 8. Tatarstan is one of Russia's autonomous republics, with a Muslim-majority population. In Kazan, Istana Negara said His Majesty will be granted an audience with the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, and will tour a helicopter manufacturing and assembly facility.
