Fighting graft and protecting kids’ rights top wish list

PETALING JAYA: Civil society groups have conveyed their wishes for 2024, which range from fighting corruption to protecting stateless children.

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner Prof Datuk Noor Aziah Mohd Awal said that corruption and racism are the main issues that need to be addressed by the government, or it would cause tension, dissatisfaction and distrust among the people.

“Corruption appears at every level and makes enforcement of the laws difficult.

“Our current issues involving illegal immigration, for example, has resulted in the government making generalised statements that may hurt the feelings of the public,” she said.

She said it is important that current amendments do not create a new pool of stateless children.

“The government must keep to their promise made through their manifesto and meet with those not happy with the proposed amendments so that they can understand how it may affect innocent young lives,” she said.

Newly-elected Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz called on the government to work on restoring public trust in the government by also tackling corruption.

“The government and all of its agencies need to convince the people that they are with the rakyat to combat corruption at the grassroots level,” he said.

He urged the government to continue pushing for national unity and racial harmony while also ensuring economic issues are addressed.

Child rights activist and Yayasan Chow Kit co-founder Datuk Dr Hartini Zainudin called on the government to take a more holistic approach in tackling child-related issues by engaging with relevant stakeholders at all levels of decision-making.

Among the ongoing issues that need urgent attention are stateless children, child trafficking, refugee children’s access to healthcare and education, and child malnutrition, she said.

“This will entail legal and policy reforms, effective implementation and enforcement of regulations, robust support services, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders,” she said.

Suriana Welfare Society chairman and prominent social activist Dr James Nayagam urged the government to create a restorative justice system for these unfortunate children and youth.

“Children born into tragic scenarios are sometimes forced into carrying out crime to survive, not by choice.

“What these children need is to be restored back to society through recuperation, and not having their lives destroyed through harsh punishment,” he said.

Nayagam called on the government to take a holistic approach when it comes to helping out those in poverty.

“The government must push for more tools such as by improving education to empower those living in poverty to rise up, instead of giving handouts which only help in the short term,” he added.

Activist-lawyer Siti Kasim also agreed that improving education must become a key priority for the government.

“Education is a long-term gestation issue that, if left unaddressed, could result in future leaders that are not only ineffective but also lead to more underperforming youth in later years.

“We need to emphasise on the importance of maths and science, as well as returning them to English if we are to produce a scientifically-minded society,” she said.

Women’s Tribunal Malaysia convener Ivy Josiah called on the government to take more steps in ensuring equality and justice for women in both representation and the workplace.

“Despite making up half of Malaysia, we are denied our equal citizenship rights, equal pay, equal representation in leadership positions.

“We have already done our work of evidence gathering and will continue to do so, but now it is up to the government to do their duty to facilitate the enjoyment of women’s human rights,” she said.