A ex-human rights commissioner lambasted his colleagues in the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) for using its "no enforcement power" as an excuse for not taking proactive actions to safeguard human rights in Malaysia.

While conceding that Suhakam's key weakness is its lack of enforcement power, Anuar Zainal Abidin stressed that it did not mean that its commissioners cannot act effectively.

"I see Suhakam's attitude is this: since we cannot enforce, therefore we do not have to do anything. I disagree. It's true we cannot enforce, but we can still shout. Shouting is almost the same as enforcement," said Anuar, who was part of the inaugural Suhakam 2000-2002 team.

"No enforcement power does not mean we can only write our judgment, recommendations and pass them on to the government authorities. We have the right to make our findings known to the world. That is the advantage."

Anuar argued that Suhakam by carrying out open inquiries and making their findings public can indirectly put pressure on the authorities to take action.

He also called on Suhakam to conduct a public inquiry on the Bloody Sunday incident last May which saw the police - armed with batons and shields - bludgeoning and kicking a number of protestors when dispersing a 500-strong group.

The protestors were demonstrating against recent price hikes for fuel and electricity.

Two were seriously injured - one required five stitches on his head while another suffered from a broken arm.

Despite repeated complaints from several quarters, Suhakam chairperson Abu Talib Othman announced that it would wait for the outcome of police internal investigations and whether anyone would be charged over the incident before deciding on an inquiry.

Dr M protected the cops

During two-hour interview, Anuar said he believed his service as Suhakam commissioner was not extended following a disagreement with ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said Mahathir was against his decision to publicly announce the findings of the Kesas Highway inquiry, which slammed the police for violating human rights at the aborted 100,000 People's Gathering along the busy highway in November, 2000.

"Mahathir did not like me. He had (told the press) that the inquiry had followed western standards. Then I replied (through the press) stating that I was not following western standards. Maybe, this was my mistake.

"I feel that you don't have to follow western standards to decide whether kicking a person is wrong or right."

He accused Mahathir of seeking to protect the police, adding that the government had wanted Suhakam's decisions be kept under wraps.

"They just want us to prepare the decision and pass it on quietly to the government authorities."

No need for IPCMC

However, despite his criticism of the conduct of the police when he was Suhakam commissioner, Anuar is against the setting up of the controversial Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

He argued that there was no need for such a body as the police already has its own disciplinary body to address professional misconduct among those in the force.

According to Anuar, while the internal disciplinary body appeared not to be functioning well, the government should take steps to improve the existing body, instead of replacing it with the IPCMC.

"At the moment, they (the police) feel hurt and they have asked what is wrong with our (disciplinary) body. If that body is weak then give us a chance to rebuild. So for that reason, I don't think IPCMC should be set up."

He said the police internal disciplinary body should not be expected to curb corruption among police personnel as that duty lies with the Anti-Corruption Agency.

But he said that ACA should be given all powers to probe cases of corruption.