Patriot, in welcoming the appointment of the former Court of Appeal judge Mohd Hishamudin Yunus as the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairperson, extends its full support to his leadership.

In particular, Patriot stands by the hope that Putrajaya will sign key international treaties covering racial discrimination and refugees before the end of his three-year tenure in July 2027.

Patriot rejects all forms of racism and in this regard, we strongly support Suhakam's determination to see through the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Racial discrimination should be a zero-tolerance standard in our multicultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious country.

Hence, the initiative taken by Hishamudin to eliminate racial discrimination in all forms, including in public institutions and government policies deserves every right-minded citizen's unequivocal support.

Patriot also takes positive cognisance of the Suhakam chief's timely thoughts. The retired Court of Appeal judge hopes to instil in Malaysians a greater awareness of human rights. He also wants the government to make human rights one of its top priorities.

Patriot in extending its full support to Hishamudin demands from the government of the day to galvanise its resources and work with right-minded civil society captains to ensure that Malaysians uphold human rights with the right understanding and will.

A nation that successfully tackles racial discrimination and upholds high standards of human rights has the password to greater scales of national success.

The Madani-led government must not lose sight of this.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.