By Asmahanim Amir
Pix Ikhwan Hashim

BANGI, April 12, 2016 – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) has proposed that Public Universities, especially The National University of Malaysia (UKM), establish a Human Rights Centres to spearhead research and learning in the area.

SUHAKAM Chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam said public universities have a lot of expertise in Human Rights and can lead in-depth studies on the important subject.

“As we are moving towards becoming a developed country, human rights issues will be of more importance.

“This is because there will be a higher benchmark that needs to be met by the country, in relations to human rights issues,” he told reporters after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with UKM, yesterday.

He said the idea is still just a proposition and will be discussed with the universities, especially UKM, in ensuring that it becomes reality.

He added that it was his wish, since being appointed chairman, to see Malaysia catch up with the rest of South East Asia in having National Human Rights Institutions.

He said Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand each have at least six human rights centres.

Meanwhile, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Industry and Community Partnership)  Prof Dato’ Dr Imran Ho Abdullah said that this is the second MoU signed between UKM and SUHAKAM.