The Penang chapter of human rights movement Suaram has called for the repeal of repressive laws and the eradication of corruption in this country.

In a press statement yesterday in conjunction with the World Human Rights Day, Suaram Penang said it was saddened that the situation in Malaysia has failed to improve.

"We believe that our society will not achieve any positive progress towards a more equitable, just and democratic future as long as these repressive acts exits in this country," it stressed.

The movement urged the government to abolish repressive laws and regulations as well as to ratify all international human rights documents.

Suaram Penang singled out corruption as a huge obstacle to human rights and commended Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's emphasis on battling it.

"But words are not enough, concrete actions need to be taken, with the government playing a leading and more proactive role and adopting strong and appropriate measures to end corruption in Malaysia," it said.

The movement said better governance would be ensured if the government and its agencies were more transparent, accountable and allowed room for public scrutiny.

Questionable development

It was also sceptical of the methods of development in the country - which included dams, roads, incinerators and uncontrolled logging as they caused health problems and other social and environmental degradation.

"These projects only benefit a small number of people often cronies - but neglect the voice and needs of the majority", stressed Suaram Penang.

World Human Rights Day marks the formulation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations (UN) in 1946.

Yesterday, Suaram celebrated the occasion with the release of its 2003 Malaysian annual human rights report executive summary.

It also presented the Suaram 2003 human rights award to a residents' action committee which battled an unlawful eviction for a decade.