Samsuri's reps send memo over TCO
Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar had two representatives deliver a memorandum to Suhakam over the 'Travel Control Office/Order' (TCO) he claimed he was under.
His political secretary Soud Said, and lawyer Kamilia Ibrahim handed over the memorandum protesting what Samsuri described as "excessive surveillance" and political intimidation that violated his human rights.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
7 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Amend Article 153 to recognise Orang Asli rights, says Suhakam
Suhakam said policy gaps have left indigenous communities vulnerable to land disputes, displacement, and the loss of livelihoods. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has called for Article 153 of the Federal Constitution to be amended to explicitly recognise the Orang Asli as entitled to the same constitutional safeguards and affirmative action measures as other indigenous groups. In a statement, Suhakam said such recognition was essential to ensuring that the rights, identity, and entitlements of the Orang Asli were no longer subject to administrative ambiguity or exclusion. Suhakam said the amendment was also in line with its call to develop and implement a comprehensive national action plan to safeguard the rights of indigenous peoples. 'For decades, these communities have endured systemic neglect, marginalisation, and violations of their fundamental rights, particularly concerning land, identity, and socio-economic inclusion,' said the rights body. Article 153 of the Federal Constitution ensures that the Malays and natives of East Malaysia have access to 'such proportion' of positions in the public service, scholarships, as well as permits and licences for the operation of any trade or business, as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may deem reasonable. In its statement, Suhakam also pushed for the creation of an independent national commission on indigenous peoples, as recommended in its National Inquiry into the Land Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The proposed commission would advise the government on relevant laws and policies, monitor sustainable development on indigenous lands, encourage indigenous participation at all levels, and conduct research on issues affecting their communities. Suhakam said the commission must comprise mostly indigenous representatives, selected transparently and with community endorsement, to ensure that it truly represents their voices and respects the principle of self-determination. Suhakam said although the government accepted 17 of its 18 recommendations from the national inquiry, progress had been slow. Suhakam also called for a full review of the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 and a reform of the Orang Asli development department (Jakoa). It said Jakoa, currently the main federal agency overseeing Orang Asli affairs, must evolve into a rights-based institution capable of protecting indigenous rights, not just delivering welfare. Another critical issue highlighted in the statement was a lack of alignment between federal and state policies, particularly in the recognition and protection of ancestral and customary land. Suhakam said policy gaps had left indigenous communities vulnerable to land disputes, displacement, and the loss of livelihoods. Suhakam said both federal and state governments must uphold their responsibilities as custodians of indigenous land and resources, including enforcing land rights through clear, consistent policies aligned with international standards such as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the ILO Convention 169. 'These instruments affirm indigenous peoples' rights to free, prior, and informed consent, and to preserve their culture, lands, and institutions,' said Suhakam. Suhakam added that no meaningful reform could happen without the active involvement of indigenous communities and civil society, stressing the necessity of their participation to ensure that any changes are effective and accepted by those directly affected.
Free Malaysia Today
7 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Peka backs positive discrimination for Orang Asli
Peka said the government should return all land belonging to the Orang Asli. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : An environmental group is pushing for positive discrimination for the Orang Asli following calls for the community to be constitutionally recognised and granted safeguards and affirmative action measures similar to those of other indigenous groups. Peka president Rajesh Nagarajan said Article 8(5)(c) of the Federal Constitution stipulates the reservation of land and positions in public service for natives. However, he said the Orang Asli were treated like foreigners in their own land. He also said that their land had been seized and the community left with nothing, 'completely unable to fend for themselves'. 'We demand that the government return all land belonging to the Orang Asli and for state governments to declare that the Orang Asli permanently own all land that they are occupying,' Rajesh, a vocal advocate for Orang Asli rights, said in a statement. Rajesh's statement comes a day after the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) called for Article 153 of the Federal Constitution to be amended to explicitly recognise the Orang Asli as entitled to the same constitutional safeguards and affirmative action measures as other indigenous groups. Suhakam said such recognition was essential to ensuring that the rights, identity, and entitlements of the Orang Asli were no longer subject to administrative ambiguity or exclusion. It also said the amendment was in line with its call to develop and implement a comprehensive national action plan to safeguard the rights of indigenous peoples.
Free Malaysia Today
01-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Opposition MPs seek to observe PM's reference application court proceedings
Lawyers Azhar Azizan Harun, Takiyuddin Hassan and Zulkifli Noordin have been nominated to attend the High Court proceedings. KUALA LUMPUR : Three opposition MPs have applied for their lawyers to be allowed to observe High Court proceedings on Tuesday, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's counsel argues to refer eight questions of law to the Federal Court for determination, including whether he has immunity from a civil suit scheduled for trial in two weeks. A letter dated today to Justice Roz Mawar Rozain's secretary by legal firm Wan Jawahir & Takiyuddin, sighted by FMT, showed that the application was jointly made by MPs Hamzah Zainudin (Larut), Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (Kemaman) and Ronald Kiandee (Beluran). It said the three MPs were interested parties, as the constitutional issues to be ventilated in court would also be raised in the Dewan Rakyat. 'We request that our lawyers be allowed to be present throughout the proceedings as observers to represent the MPs,' the letter said. Lawyers Azhar Azizan Harun, Takiyuddin Hassan and Zulkifli Noordin have been nominated to attend the proceedings. Lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali, who is appearing for former research assistant Yusoff Rawther in response to Anwar's application, said he had been extended a copy of the letter. 'I believe they want the status of amicus curiae (friend of the court) and would want to submit if the judge extends an invitation,' he said. The parties will appear before the judge at 2.30pm on Tuesday and make oral submissions before a ruling is handed down. Rafique said Yusoff would be opposing the application. Roz Mawar has to determine whether the legal questions posed cross the threshold for them to be referred to the Federal Court. The prime minister wants the apex court to rule whether Articles 39, 40 and 43 of the Federal Constitution grant him qualified immunity from a suit filed by Yusoff four years ago. The suit relates to events that allegedly took place before Anwar took office on Nov 24, 2022. In the application, filed by his newly appointed solicitors Messrs Zain Megat & Murad, Anwar said the apex court must decide whether the suit would impair the effective discharge of his executive duties and undermine the constitutional separation of powers. He also wants the apex court to rule whether the continued progress of the suit will offend his right to equal protection under the law, as prescribed in Article 8(1) of the constitution, particularly as he claims that the suit is an abuse of process. Anwar says the suit is premised on a 'manufactured claim' and that he is the victim of 'politically motivated reputational sabotage'. He also wants the Federal Court to rule that the High Court is obliged to hold a 'threshold inquiry' to determine whether the suit constitutes an abuse of process or a threat to public interest, and if so, whether it must be stayed or dismissed 'to preserve constitutional governance'. The application also seeks a determination as to whether Anwar, as the sitting prime minister, is entitled under Article 5(1) of the constitution 'to protection from a vexatious litigant' bringing a suit that is 'strategically timed or politically weaponised to undermine his ability to govern'. Anwar has also applied for the trial of the suit before Roz Mawar, scheduled to begin on June 16, to be stayed pending the outcome of proceedings in the apex court. Yusoff, a grandson of the late Penang consumer advocate SM Mohamed Idris, filed the suit against Anwar in 2021, claiming that he was assaulted at the PKR president's home in Segambut in October 2018. He is seeking general, special, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court. Anwar has denied the claim and filed a countersuit.
