KUALA LUMPUR: The appointment process for the next Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman is nearing its final stages, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said the new chairman of Suhakam will be announced soon.
He added that an important criteria for the appointment is that the post cannot be given to a member of any registered political party.
"The Suhakam Act was amended last year, and one of the significant amendments related to the appointment of Suhakam members is that they cannot be actively involved in or registered with any political party.
"Therefore, a selection committee meeting to choose the chairman was held on June 7 this year, and the appointment will be in line with Section 11A of the Suhakam Act," he said in Dewan Rakyat today.
Professor Datuk Rahmat Mohamad resigned from the post last August.
The Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department said he was appointed to lead the commission for the 2022-2025 term.
However, Rahmat's position has not been filled since his resignation.