After many of its recommendations went unheeded, several quarters today urged the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to make a stand and even suggested that it take its grouses to the streets.

The matter was raised during a discussion between commissioner Prof Hamdan Mohd Adnan and a delegation from the Abolish Internal Security Movement (AIM), which handed a memorandum on the psychological effect of ISA arrests on the detainees' families.

Hamdan said Suhakam has done its best by forwarding various recommendations to the government on human rights issues but it was up to the latter to implement or ignore them.

This sparked off a lively discussion as the delegation, which also comprised wives of ISA detainees, suggested ways for the commission to "protect its rights".

Former ISA detainee and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) vice-president Tian Chua said the human rights watchdog could follow trade unions and stage a strike to express its dissatisfaction.

"If Suhakam doesn't protect Suhakam's dignity, nobody else can do it for you, NGOs (non-governmental organisations) can't strike on behalf of Suhakam," he said.

Tian Chua noted that none of the commission's annual reports were debated in Parliament since its inception four years ago.

"To stage a one-day strike is not too drastic but is very symbolic. It does not hurt anybody and the international community will hear your (Suhakam) voice," he said, adding that civil society groups were willing to back the commission if it decides to go on strike.

Mass resignations

Another ex-ISA detainee Saari Sungib suggested that several commissioners should resign as a mark of protest against the government for its nonchalant attitude towards Suhakam.

He said other quarters have carried out numerous protests on this matter and asked why the commission could not do the same to defend its position.

Responding to this, Hamdan said a mass resignation could lead the government to close down Suhakam due to its 'defiant' commissioners.

"We must consider first whether this protest will result in benefits or otherwise. Now we have Suhakam, at least we have a platform for all of you all to channel complaints.

"If the government decides to close Suhakam, then we will lose this platform. This is the implication that needs to be considered," he added.

The commissioner also complained that Suahakam was working under many limitations in playing its roles as a mediator between the government and complainants.

"The government doesn't like us to instruct them, but sometimes we are actually not instructing. It is just because (the government) is not upholding the laws, this is something that we need to be frank about," he said.

To show that all was not gloomy, Hamdan told the delegation that about 30 percent of the complaints brought forth were resolved.

Meanwhile, AIM chairperson Zaid Kamaruddin suggested that Suhakam should operate on Sundays as well to expedite the handling of backlog complaints and this will put pressure on the government to respond promptly.

To this, Hamdan quipped: "Every commissioner is a part-timer and we have worked very hard. We have families and if we (start) working on Sundays, I'm afraid that my children will lodge a complaint with Suhakam then."