KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 12 -- The public should know the five people responsible for shortlisting candidates to be part of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), sitting commissioner Jerald Joseph said today.

He said the commission is proposing for the veil to be lifted as part of amendments to the Suhakam Act 1999 as it was crucial to determine the competency of potential commissioners.

"Prior to 2008, Suhakam commissioners were appointed directly by the PM and his office, and where it was not necessary to keep the commission informed of the new appointments," Joseph said during Suhakam's 20th anniversary forum at Istana Hotel.

Following amendments to the Suhakam Act that year, the five-person committee was formed, consisting ...