KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 12 -- The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Act 1999 will be amended to allow parliamentary oversight of the panel, Datuk Liew Vui Keong said today.

Presently, Suhakam comes under the Prime Minister's Department and its members are effectively chosen by the prime minister.

The minister in the Prime Minister's Department also said the amendments are aimed at empowering Suhakam to directly investigate and handle human rights-related complaints, as opposed only making recommendations to the government currently.

"The amendments will give more leeway and expand the commission's powers, especially when it comes to human rights complaints and complainants," Liew said after officiating the forum marking Suhakam...