Three members of the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) will address a public forum on the organisation's tasks and the proper procedures in lodging human rights complaints on Saturday.

Newly appointed human rights commissioners, Anuar Zainal Abidin, Dr. Chiam Heng Keng and Prof. Mehrun Siraj, will be among the speakers in the one-day forum, "Understanding Human Rights Commission Act 1999", organised by ERA Consumer Malaysia.

Forum organiser, Simon Karunagaram, told malaysiakini that the forum aims to raise the public understanding of the role of Suhakam.

He said that the discussion will focus on the functions of two Suhakam's working groups, the Working Group to Promote Awareness and Provide Education in Relation to Human Rights and the Working Group on Complaints Regarding Infringement of Human Rights.

"We will focus on these two working groups because they are the most relevant to the people," Simon said, adding that the public need to know about the proper procedures in lodging complaints to Suhakam.

He added that it is a good time to hold the forum because the commission had received many complaints from the public on human rights issues since the 13-member panel, headed by former deputy prime minister Musa Hitam, was announced early last month.

Musa said that 106 human rights' cases were lodged with Suhakam from April 17 until May 13.

When asked on the public response to the forum, Simon said it has been very encouraging.

"We expect 200 participants to turn up for the event. So far we have around 150 people who have confirmed that they will be attending the forum," he explained.

Other speakers scheduled to address the forum are United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Param Cumaraswamy, Tenaganita director, Irene Fernandez, Hakam secretary-general, Elizabeth Wong and Prof. Shad Faruqi from Universiti Teknologi Mara.

The forum will begin at 9am at the Pearl International Hotel in Old Klang Road, Kuala Lumpur. Admission to the forum is free.