The two-year service term for the majority of Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioners will expire in less than two weeks on April 23.

However, they have yet to receive news on whether they would be re-appointed or dropped from the line-up.

When contacted, Suhakam vice-chairperson Simon Sipaun said he had not received any news regarding his post.

Based on experience, the three-term commissioner said the commissioners would have been asked by now if they were interested in serving for another term.

"I have no idea at all now whether I will be reappointed," he said, adding that he would be willing to accept a re-appointment.

Come April 23, the term of service for 13 out of 16 commissioners will expire.

The remaining three - N Siva Subramaniam, Prof Khoo Kay Kim and Muhammad Shafee Abdullah - were appointed later and it is unclear whether their terms would end on the same date.

Siva also appeared to be in the dark over this. "I don't know anything yet. I haven't been informed," said the first-time commissioner when contacted.

Will Hamdan be axed?

Another commissioner Prof Mohd Hamdan Adnan, who is in his third term, has also not been informed about his fate in Suhakam.

Speculations have been rife that Hamdan, seen as the most vocal of the lot, would be axed Asked about this, the commissioner quipped that he too has heard the talk 'all over the place'.

"I wont be angry even if I am not appointed. Good luck to those who will be appointed," he said, adding that he would accept a re-appointment if given the opportunity.

"Sure (I will accept). This is something very important. I've been serving in consumer movements for more than twenty years. A lot of them regarding human rights....

"So it's part and parcel of my life whether in or out of Suhakam I will still be dedicated to it," said the former president of the Federation of Consumer Associations of Malaysia (Fomca).

Belongs to the people

Hamdan said the government should be aware that the commission belongs to the people and not the government.

"The appointments must get the people's approval because Suhakam belongs to the people. The government should be clear on that," he said.

The government, he added, should not forget the initial objectives behind the decision to set-up Suhakam.

"Those appointed will reflect the government's seriousness in promoting human rights. I think I have been very serious in promoting human rights.

"It (the appointments) will reflect on the government and Pak Lah (Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) himself," he said.

Suhakam is chaired by former Attorney-General Abu Talib Othman. The other commissioners are Prof Chiam Heng Keng, Dr Mohammad Hirman Ritom Abdullah,V Ramon Navaratnam, Asiah Abu Samah, Dr Raj Abdul Karim, Dr Abdul Monir Yaacob, Karam Chand Vohrah, Ranita Mohd Hussein, Choo Siew Kioh, Nazihah Tunku Mohamed Rus.

Another commissioner Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin resigned last year.