Malay rights body, Suhakam, confirms the appointment of Farah Nini Dusuki as the new head of its children's commission.
New Human Rights Commissioners Appointed in Malaysia to Boost Child Rights Efforts
Malaysia has appointed four new human rights commissioners, effective June 28, 2025, as part of an effort to strengthen the protection and promotion of children's rights. The appointments were made under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999, following the approval of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the prime minister's recommendation.
The newly appointed commissioners are Dr. Mohd Al Adib Samuri, Dr. Zufar Yadi, Brendan Abdullah, and Puan Melissa binti Mohd Akhir. Among them, Dr. Zufar Yadi has been designated as the children's commissioner for Sabah and Sarawak.
Dr. Al Adib Samuri and Dr. Zufar Yadi, in their roles as children’s commissioners, will focus on strengthening the protection and promotion of children’s rights across Malaysia, including for undocumented minors and children in conflict with the law. Their responsibilities include ensuring access to quality education, robust child protection mechanisms, and a just and rehabilitative juvenile justice system.
Suhakam (the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) has welcomed these appointments, emphasizing their importance in enhancing efforts to protect and promote children's rights. The commission hopes these appointments will support institutional responses to key child rights issues.
These appointments come at a time when Suhakam is refocusing its efforts on child rights issues. Key areas of focus include ensuring access to quality education, robust child protection mechanisms, and a just and rehabilitative juvenile justice system.
The appointments aim to fill vacancies that had limited Suhakam’s operational capacity, with the terms of three of its commissioners, including chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus, vice-chairman Tengku Mohamed Fauzi Tengku Abdul Hamid, and chief children commissioner Dr. Farah Nini Dusuki, having ended or nearing their expiration.
Suhakam's ongoing commitment to strengthening the protection and promotion of children's rights in Malaysia is reflected in these appointments. The commission hopes these new commissioners will bring fresh perspectives and expertise to its efforts.
[1] Suhakam Statement on the Appointment of New Human Rights Commissioners (https://suhakam.org.my/media-centre/press-releases/suhakam-statement-on-the-appointment-of-new-human-rights-commissioners/)
[2] Appointment of New Human Rights Commissioners (https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/625193)
[3] New Human Rights Commissioners Appointed in Malaysia (https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/06/25/new-human-rights-commissioners-appointed-in-malaysia)
[4] Malaysia's New Human Rights Commissioners (https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/06/25/malaysias-new-human-rights-commissioners/)
[5] Statement on the Appointment of New Human Rights Commissioners (https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/625200)
- The Government of Malaysia has appointed four new human rights commissioners, effective June 28, 2025, to boost efforts protecting children's rights in Malaysia.
- Dr. Zufar Yadi, among the appointed commissioners, will focus specifically on children's rights in Sabah and Sarawak.
- These new commissioners are expected to contribute to policy and legislation aimed at personal growth, education-and-self-development, and general news in Malaysia.
- The appointments come at a time when the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, Suhakam, is refocusing its efforts on children's rights, including education, child protection, and a just juvenile justice system.
- These appointments aim to fill vacancies and provide fresh perspectives, expertise, and operational capacity for addressing key child rights issues in Malaysia.
- The prime minister recommended these appointments to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who approved them under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999.
- The appointments have been met with support from Suhakam, which hopes these new commissioners will strengthen its efforts for ensuring justice and fairness in education and personal development for all children in Malaysia.
