Shafee Abdullah qualified to chair AICHR - Anifah

Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah is qualified to represent Malaysia to Chair the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.

Anifah said, Shafee's appointment was made based on his vast experience in the fields of law and human rights.

"As a country to undertake the chairmanship task involving various countries, it is not an easy task.

"The involvement of Shafee since the beginning of the Terms of Reference of AICHR in 2009 gave him an edge in chairing the AICHR in 2015.

"It is because he has institutional memory of the issues that have been and are being discussed by the AICHR, apart from his current expertise and experience," said the Foreign Affairs minister in a written reply in Parliament on Wednesday.

Anifah said, Shafee's experience is an added value to the government. At the same time, it can help Malaysia to lead the implementation of various program and activities of the AICHR for 2015, including the Five-Year Work Plan of AICHR 2016-2020.

Anifah made his response after being questioned by Batu Kawan MP from DAP Kasthuriraani Patto who asked the Foreign Ministry to explain the qualifications and expertise of Shafee on his appointment as Malaysia’s representative of Malaysia for AICHR.