Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang today submitted a motion to Parliament seeking a debate on the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) 2003 annual report.

In his motion, Lim urged the House to take note of the 342-page Suhakam report, which was tabled yesterday.

The ordinary motion submitted under Standing Order 27 (3)requires 14 days' notice. It will be displayed in the order paper, but whether or not it will be debated will depend on availability of time.

Lim, who is DAP chairperson and Ipoh Timor MP, told a press conference in the Parliament lobby that it would be possible to find the time if the government agrees to extend the sitting to debate the report.

He said that, if the cabinet meeting tomorrow could agree to a day's extension, to June 15, a full day can be allocated to debate the 2003 report as well as Suhakam's three previous annual reports since 2000. The current meeting is from May 17 to June 14.

Parliament had previously rejected similar motions to debate Suhakam annual reports.

"Disrespectful' attitude

Lim said a debate on the Suhakam report would demonstrate that Parliament is not lagging behind others in showing concern for the protection and promotion of human rights.

"There is another reason why Parliament should send out a loud and clear message, not only to the nation, but to the world, about its commitment to human rights - Malaysia has again been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) in Geneva," he said.

He added that Malaysia should not be seen as being in the ranks of countries which are represented in the UNHRC but are among "the worst violaters of human rights in the world".

Parti Keadilan Rakyat president and Permatang Pauh MP Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who was present, questioned the effectiveness of Suhakam's role if its recommendations are not heard in Parliament.

"The government set up Suhakam (in order to obtain) advice and recommendations. Now that it has came out with a report, we should debate it and also the three previous reports," she said.

PAS Youth chief Salahudin Ayub said that, if the government continues to ignore Suhakam, the commission could become "irrelevant" one day.

"It is disrespectful to Suhakam that the government does not recognise the annual report," the Kubang Kerian MP said.

The government last week decided that no specific time would be allocated to debate the Suhakam report but said it could be debated at the supplementary bill stages scheduled for June 9, 10 and 14.

Suhakam, in its report, has urged the government to react positively to its recommendations, including its readiness to be consulted in drafting legislation and reviewing current laws.