FACULTY OF ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCE & POLICY STUDIES DIPLOMA IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION UITM CAWANGAN KEDAH PAD 102 : INTRODUCTION

TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION KAM110 1I HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF MALAYSIA (SUHAKAM) Prepared by : NUR FARAH HAIDA BINTI ZULKIFLI NORFATIN ATIQAH BINTI ABD HALIM NUR SHADA SYAZREEN BINTI MOHD SOBRI NORAIHAN BINTI MOHAMAD ZAKI Prepared for : MADAM SAIDATUL AKMA BINTI HAMIK Date of submission : 10 February 2014 2013907747 2013737367 2013383703 2013561257

Content No 1.0 Introduction 1.1 History 1.2 Objective 1.3 Functions 1.4 Mission and Vission 2.0 Contribution of SUHAKAM to Malaysia 2.1 Education and promotion working group 2.2 Issues on rights of Persons with Disabilities 4-7 Title Page 1-3

3.0

Issues 3.1 Education and promotion working group 3.2 Issues on rights of Persons with Disabilities

8-9

4.0

Recommendation 4.1 Education and promotion working group 4.2 Issues on rights of Persons with Disabilities

10-11

5.0

Conclusion References

12

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 History The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) was established by Parliament under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999, Act 597. The Act was gazetted on 9 September 1999. On 3 April 2000, the Government announced the appointment of SUHAKAMs first Chairman, Tan Sri Dato Musa bin Hitam, and the 12 other members of the Commission to serve a two-year term, which is renewable. The SUHAKAM secretariat began operating from a container cabin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra). This was due to space constraints at the Ministry. The Commission finally rented its own premises on the 29th and 30th floors of Menara Tun Razak at Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur and moved in on 24 November 2000. The building was chosen in particular for its central location and easy access to the public. On January 2011, the Commission relocated to a new premise on the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th floor of Menara TH Perdana at Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur

(www.suhakam.org.my/about-suhakam/fungsi-kuasa/).

1.2 Objective 1.2.1. To promote awareness of and provide education and relations to human rights 1.2.2. To inquire into complaints regarding infringements of human right 1.2.3. To implement efforts towards the development of a National Human Rights action 1.2.4. To establish international networks and cooperation (Source from, www.suhakam.org.my/about-suhakam/fungsi-kuasa/)

1.3 Mission and Vission 1.3.1 Mission 1.3.1.1 To Promote & Protect Human Rights in Malaysia (Source from, www.suhakam.org.my)

1.3.2 Vission 1.3.2.1 To undertake research by conducting programs, seminars and workshops and to disseminate and distribute the results of such research; 1.3.2.2 To advise the Government and/or relevant authorities of complaints against them and to recommend appropriate measures to be taken; 1.3.2.3 To study and verify any infringement of human rights; 1.3.2.4 To visit places of detention in accordance with procedures as prescribed by laws relating to the places of detention and to make necessary recommendations; 1.3.2.5 To issue public statements on human rights as and when necessary; 1.3.2.6 To undertake appropriate activities as are necessary. (Source from, www.suhakam.org.my)

1.4 Function 1.4.1 To promote awareness of and provide education relating to human rights; 1.4.2 To advise and assist Government in formulating legislation and procedures and recommend the necessary measures to be taken; 1.4.3 To recommend to the Government with regard to subscription or accession of treaties and other international instruments in the field of human rights; 1.4.4 To inquire into complaints regarding infringements of human rights. (Source from, www.suhakam.org.my)

2.0 CONTRIBUTION OF SUHAKAM TO MALAYSIA 2.1 Education and promotion working group The education work group was established in April 2000. In July 2003, the work group name was changed to the education and promotion to clearly reflect its function. Pursuant to section 4(1) (a) Act of the human rights commission of Malaysia, SUHAKAM is mandated to promoted awareness and provide education related to human rights. Thus, human rights education is the primary responsibility of SUHAKAM (www.directory.yellavia.com/government/suruhanjayahak-asasi-manusia-malaysia-suhakam).

2.1.1 Main objectives of this work group 2.1.1.1 Enhancing respect for human rights and protection through education of society. 2.1.1.2 Assess the needs and education strategies for improving education inregard to human rights (Source from, www.directory.yellavia.com/government/suruhanjaya-hak-asasi-manusia-

malaysia-suhakam)

2.1.2 SUHAKAM with the Public On June 16, 2008, SUHAKAM carried out a program with the citizens at the Kuantan, Pahang. It was held to introduce SUHAKAM to the public. It is also to give the chance to the people to interact directly with SUHAKAM about the issues that are related with human rights and to get more understanding and knowledge about SUHAKAM. From this program, SUHAKAM also presented the issues and cases of the human rights violations that had been handled by SUHAKAM. They were also a showcase, and some counter for distributing complaints form and evalution for the program (http://persatuansejahterakuantan.blogspot.com/2008/06/programsuhakam-bersama-rakyat-di.html).

2.2 Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) was established by the Act 597, that is the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act. One of the functions of SUHAKAM is to raise awareness about human rights, and also to advise and assist the government in drafting laws and regulations as well as provide recommendations on human rights

(www.suhakam.org.my/about-suhakam/pendidikan/orang-kurang-upaya-oku/).

2.2.1 Main objectives 2.2.1.1 To act as a follow-up action plan for SUHAKAM activities on the issue of the disabled. 2.2.1.2 To review all laws and regulations, especially with regard to buildings, public places and public facilities. 2.2.1.3 To discuss the issues and problems faced by the disabled. 2.2.1.4 To find out about available facilities in the buildings, public places and public facilities. 2.2.1.5 To discuss ways to overcome the problems which were brought up. (Source from, www.suhakam.org.my/about-suhakam/pendidikan/orang-kurang-upaya-oku/)

2.2.2 SUHAKAM Concerns about the Disabilities Persons

SUHAKAM has organized a roundtable discussion themed disabled-friendly environment at a hotel in Johor Bahru on 18 October 2012, that been chaired by Prof Datuk Dr Mahmood Zuhdi Hj. Ab. Majid (Buletin Suhakam, 2012).

There are 36 peoples that came to the discussion who are from Johor State Welfare Department, Local State Authorities and Non-government Organization (NGO) that involved with disabilities persons. SUHAKAM also invited three speakers from different organization for the discussion sessions. They are Tuan Haji Adnan Abu Bakar from Disabled-part of Welfare Department, Tuan Haji Ibrahim bin Hamdan, who is the director at Building Department of Johor Bahru City Council and Honorary Secretary of the Johor Association of the Deaf, Encik Yazid (Buletin Suhakam, 2012).

Among the major issues being discussed during the half-day program includes educational interests of the disabled child, the importance of first aid actions that can be accessed by people with disabilities (for example, how the deaf are informed of fire if they cannot hear a burglar alarm, the issue of opportunity employment and the employer sensitivity to the needs of the disabled subordinates (Buletin Suhakam, 2012).

3.0 ISSUES 3.1 Education and promotion working group 3.1.1. Issues involving teachers Teachers sometimes see the teaching of human rights as a threat to their authority .They fear that their students will become rebellious. Many teachers do not understand the concept of human rights, therefore, they fail to impart it to their students. Human rights teaching materials are not relevant to teaching practices and are not focused on the learning needs of students. Teachers may not be fully committed to human rights education in schools because they fear that it might increase their already heavy teaching loads

(www.humanrights.or.jp/pub/hreas/6/13/Malaysia.pdf).

3.1.2 Education for children with disabilities

Schools for children with disabilities are limited. Children with disabilities have difficulty making progress through the education system due to lack of resources and support for their special learning needs. In accordance with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons, every disabled person is entitled to social facilities , including education, which is essential to maximize his or her potential For children with special needs, the normal curriculum, being exam-oriented and academic, might not be suitable. With too many students in a classroom, teachers may not be able to give sufficient attention to the disabled child

(www.humanrights.or.jp/pub/hreas/6/13/Malaysia.pdf).

3.2 Issues on rights of Persons with Disabilities

The issues relating to the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs or Persons With Disabilities / PWD) in Malaysia is often highlighted and discussed. However, as one of a small groups and the most easily oppressed, their rights should be fought for and protected. As a Member State to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (United Nations Convention On The Rights Of Persons Disabilities (CRPD)) under the United Nations Organization, the government is responsible for enacting laws that give meaning to the Convention. Unfortunately, nothing much has been done on the enforcement of this Convention (www.suhakam.org.my/about-suhakam/pendidikan/orang-kurang-upaya-oku/).

Issues and opportunities for the disabled are often dealt with in two aspects. Previously, SUHAKAM has conducted several discussions on the issue of the disabled, which include publishing reports on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (SHM/OKU/20/06). As a follow-up action plan for SUHAKAM activities on the previous issues of disabled persons, several roundtable discussions were held in a number of states in which representatives from the Local Authority, the government and the disabled themselves were present to discuss a practical ways of improving the quality of life for the disabled and the laws involved

(www.suhakam.org.my/about-suhakam/pendidikan/orang-kurang-upaya-oku/).

The seventh Malaysias challenges said want to create a loveable community and loving culture, however there are still people out there that have a negative mentality towards the disabilities persons. This is one of the bad scenario that are happening in Malaysia nowadays. There are such things as there are special toilets, parking and place in the public transportation that had been prepared for the disabilities, but still then there are peoples use that particular facilities.

RECOMMENDATION

4.1 Education and promotion working group

Teachers should have substantial participation in conceptualizing and developing Curriculums, materials, and teacher training programs. In education must cater to diverse needs, styles, and rates of learning. For exam Curriculum reform should be flexible and should provide options for students. For phledyslexic children should be allocated extra time to do their examinations. Another example, traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples may be incorporated in science classes. Knowledgeable members of the parent teachers association may been courage to support the school curriculum committee to design appropriate courses and to help teach practical aspects of the courses.

4.2 Issues on rights of Persons with Disabilities

SUHAKAM provide more job opportunities to the disabilities person to increase their standard living. Besides, SUHAKAM and government must give more information to the public about the disabilities person so that people will respect the disabilities person. Next SUHAKAM and government also have to provide and implement all the law regarding the problem faced by the disabilities person to protect them.

Registration required to ensure policy and planning is accurate. According to the World Report on Disability (m/s 53) issued in 2011 jointly published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank (World Bank), currently estimated at 15% of the world population is disabled, no longer at approximately 10%. So far only Malaysia has a total of 331.661 registered disabled. Estimated 4.2 million set by the WHO should be given special attention in view of good planning can only give a good impression with accurate statistical data (https://www.facebook.com/notes/fadhil-abdul-rahman/gerakan-bersama-kebangkitan-oku-2012bangkit-2012-tarikh-17-mac-2012-memorandum-/155212124520927).

There should be a support system to help disabled sustain family life. Highly desirable for agencies such as the National Population and Family Development ("NPFDB") to pay attention to the problems and challenges of the disabled in that regard. The support system must be as recommended by WHO. Because of the defect, some disabled people experience physical and sexual abuse that has not gone unnoticed and is often not discussed. A special body should be established to assist the needy disabled persons in terms of family life, including but not limited to sexual and reproductive health (according to WHO recommendations)

(https://www.facebook.com/notes/fadhil-abdul-rahman/gerakan-bersama-kebangkitan-oku-2012bangkit-2012-tarikh-17-mac-2012-memorandum-/155212124520927).

5.0 Conclusion In conclusion, SUHAKAM have been carry out all the functions and objectives that they have stated. They provided many programs to help public in making their life better. The programs have improved the public standard living life. Without contribution of SUHAKAM, they must be some people that been neglected. So, they help public to increase the confident to face the problem in their life as well. SUHAKAM are also playing their roles as the machine to help the government in order to increase and develop the standard of economic, social and cultural in Malaysia. They help the public that need the some concern on their problems based on their mission, vision and motto. They are trying their best to keep the citizens on the right path and get the protection as well. The programs and campaign that they had been carried out help public in order for desired changes in the society. Therefore, the public will know well about how and what to do whenever they have problems with any violation of human rights. This can ensure the citizens get the best way in order to overcome their problems.

REFERENCES Buletin SUHAKAM ____________________ (yr), Title , Name of Buletin, Vol 2, p. 4 @ pp. 4 -16. Retrieved from www.suhakam.org.my/about-suhakam/fungsi-kuasa/ on 22 January 2014. Retrieved from www.e-gov.my/suhakam/about-suhakam/pendidikan/wanita/ on 26 January 2014. Retrieved from www.hurights.or.jp/pub/hreas/6/13Malaysia.pdf on 26 January 2014. Retrieved from www.plato.stanford.edu/entries/rights-human on 2 February 2014. Retrieved from www.persatuansejahterakuantan.blogspot.com on 4 February 2014. Retrieved from www.facebook.com/SUHAKAM?ref=ts&fref=ts on 6 February 2014.