KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 – Former Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) member Dr John Chew Chee Ming has been appointed a member of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).
Dr Chew was one of eight appointed to the statutory body effective last June 22 for a three-year term, including chairman Rahmat Mohamad who is a professor of law at UiTM.
Besides Dr Chew and Rahmat, the other six new Suhakam commissioners comprise UKM law lecturer Noor Aziah Mohd Awal (reappointed), former Malaysian Bar president Ragunath Kesavan, former Sabah state attorney-general Mary @ Mariati Robert, former Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) director-general Mohamad Nordin Ibrahim, as well as lawyers Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican and Nazira Abdul Rahim. Both Hasnal and Nazira are from Umno.
Dr Chew and Mariati represent Sarawak and Sabah respectively.
“It is hoped that these inclusive appointments will further strengthen Suhakam in the performance of their activities for national wellbeing,” Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said in a statement today.
Dr Chew served as an appointed council member of the MMC from 2018 to 2020, and earlier as an elected council member of the statutory body, which regulates the medical profession in Malaysia, from 2009 to 2015.
The 69-year-old physician is currently a committee member of the MMC’s disciplinary board for the 2021-2024 term.
Dr Chew is a consultant anaesthetist at the Borneo Medical Centre in Kuching, Sarawak, where he also serves as chairman of the private facility’s board of directors.
He previously led doctors’ groups – the Malaysian Medical Association as president from 2016 to 2017 and as a past president of the Society of Private Medical Practitioners Sarawak.
