No politicians in KL rights body

No politicians in KL rights body

KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Politicians and civil servants will not be picked as members of the soon-to-be established National Commission on Human Rights, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid said on Wednesday.

The credibility of the commission required members who are not linked to the government, Hamid told reporters.

He made the comments in response to a statement, endorsed by 34 non-governmental organizations (NGO) and two opposition parties, that called for measures to ensure the new commission is truly independent and effective.

Legislation establishing the commission -- which is not to have more than 20 members -- is expected to be presented during the parliament's next session in July, Bernama, the government news agency, reported on Wednesday.