The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) today announced the appointment of commissioner Simon Sipaun as its new vice-chairperson.

Sipaun replaces former judge Harun Hashim who died from a heart attack on Sept 30.

According to a statement from the commission, the two-term commissioner was elected to the post today.

"He was unanimously elected at the monthly Suhakam meeting held today," said the commission secretary Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria.

Sipaun, 75, is in charge of the Suhakam office in Sabah and is a member of the education working group and the prominent complaints and inquiries working group.

A Kadazan by ethnic origin, he also chairs the sub-committee on the indigenous people.

First inquiry

Sipaun had served as Sabah state secretary from 1988 to 1993 and at present is also the chairperson of the Sabah public service commission.

He was part of a three-member inquiry panel that looked into the allegations of police brutality during the Nov 5, 2000 gathering organised by Keadilan.

The inquiry found the police solely responsible for human rights violations at the aborted 100,000 People's Gathering at Jalan Kebun in Klang.

The inquiry panel was the first set up by Suhakam to look into infringements of human rights in this country since its inception in April 2000.

No new faces

However, the Suhakam statement did not state if any new commissioners will be appointed to replace Harun, who was also in the commission since 2000.

At present, there are 12 commissioners, including the chairperson Abu Talib Othman. However their terms of services will be expiring next April, although they are eligible for reappointments.

The 1999 Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act allows for the appointment of not more than 20 commissioners.