Reform movement Aliran has urged N Siva Subramaniam to resign as commissioner of the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) as he is involved in too many organisations and is currently campaigning for a tedious post in the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).

Siva ( left ), who was only appointed as one of the 17 Suhakam commissioners in July, has been asked to decide if he wants to be a trade unionist or human rights defender in the parliamentary enacted body.

Siva wears many hats. One of it is as executive secretary of the National Union of Teachers Profession (NUTP) which boasts over 100,000 members.

Aliran president P Ramakrishnan noted that Siva, in his responsibilities as NUTP executive secretary, must be required to devote time and presence in carrying out his onerous duties with the body having 12 branches nationwide.

"He cannot have it both ways. He is (also) currently busy on a campaign trail to get elected as MTUC secretary-general," he said in a statement yesterday.

He added that Siva would be expected to travel to conduct workshops and seminars while preparing reports and recommendations for the teaching profession.

"On top of that, he is also the adviser to the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs).

"It has 120 affiliates with a membership of 220,000 and divisions in all states and there are conferences where his presence is necessary as adviser," said the Aliran president.

Public funds

Aliran - which also produces a monthly magazine - is a reform movement dedicated to justice, peace and solidarity. It was established in 1977 and obtained a consultative status with the United Nations a decade later.

According to Ramakrishnan, a check on the Employees Provident Funds (EPF) website revealed that Siva is a workers' representative on the EPF board and will be so till May 31 2005.

"This responsibility is a heavy one especially when the dividends keep dropping every year, leaving EPF contributors frustrated and angry. Their frustrations must be addressed seriously," he said.

It was further revealed that Siva is also NUTP Koperasi Berhad - a financial cooperative set up for NUTP members - deputy chairperson.

"What else he is involved in only he knows. But by all accounts he looks like one very busy man. How much time can he give to each of these activities?" asked Ramakrishnan.

Shirking mammoth tasks?

Aliran questioned Siva's move to secure a post in MTUC since it would require a lot of time from him.

"The MTUC is the national trade union centre for the trade union movement in this country. There are 250 affiliates nationwide with 504,000 members...five times more than that of NUTP," said Ramakrishnan.

Siva's intentions have been questioned especially given the fact that the MTUC post will require him to engage in non-civil service issues which, according to Ramakrishnan, Siva is not well-versed in.

"How serious is he in fulfilling his obligations if he were to be elected? We have to raise the question simply because he once stood for the MTUC treasurer's post in 1997, was elected and incredulously - without explanation or justification - resigned within months," he pointed out.

Human rights is a serious issue

Therefore, burdened with all these responsibilities, Ramakrishnan raised the question as to whether Siva will be able to devote sufficient time and energy to his role as a human rights commissioner.

"When full-time professionals are appointed commissioners, which job will take priority? Their career and professional advancement will naturally take precedence and they end up becoming part-time commissioners," he said.

"Human rights is a serious business. It cannot take second place to other activities. That is why Suhakam commissionaires are paid well with perks thrown in," he added.

Suhakam commissioners are said to be paid RM7,000 a month and given perks like a car and travel allowances.

"An urgent court case cannot be put aside, an EPF board meeting cannot be postponed, a corporate deal cannot be held up. But human rights violations and abuses don't wait for commissioners' convenience and need to be urgently addressed.

"Violations can take place at any time and aggrieved parties can come knocking at the commission's doors unannounced, " stressed Ramakrishnan.

He made references to a recent incident when all 17 Suhakam commissioners were not around at the commission headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to receive a complaint for activists and family members of the Simpang Renggam detention centre hunger strikers.

"Commissioners involved in other activities and endeavours cannot do justice (to their roles). They cannot simply spare their time on an ad hoc basis in order to do their duties justice and justify their wages," slammed Ramakrishnan.

Aliran seriously urged Siva and the other 16 commissioners to "let common sense prevail" and get their priorities right and live up to the demands of the Human Right Commission of Malaysia Act 1990 by making their human rights role a full-time one.