SUHAKAM reports that its budget has stagnated at a time when it is attempting to improve its regional presence and when it has recently been vested with a child rights mandate as a result of the 2024 amendments. 

The SCA emphasizes that, to function effectively, an NHRI must be provided with an appropriate level of funding in order to guarantee its independence and its ability to freely determine its priorities and activities. It must also have the power to allocate funding according to its priorities. In particular, adequate funding should, to a reasonable degree, ensure the gradual and progressive realization of the improvement of the Institution’s operations and the fulfilment of its mandate. Specifically, where the NHRI has been designated with additional responsibilities by the State, additional financial resources should be provided to enable it to assume the responsibilities of discharging these functions. 

The SCA therefore recommend SUHAKAM to advocate for an increased and appropriate level of funding to adequately implement its existing mandate, to establish a regional presence in North and Peninsular Malaysia, to further improve the capacity of its regional offices in Sabah and Sarawak, and to fulfil its child rights mandate. 

The SCA refers to Paris Principle B.2 and to its General Observation 1.10 on ‘Adequate funding’.