KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 5 -- The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) does not need prosecutorial powers to be effective, but authorities should be required to respond to its findings and recommendations, its chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Md Yunus said.

While the 77-year-old former judge acknowledged criticism of Suhakam's limitations, he stressed that the national human rights body was far from being a "toothless" organisation.

Instead, he urged critics to recognise that Suhakam has a distinct role from the courts, enforcement agencies and other statutory bodies.

"Suhakam's present mandate is primarily investigative, advisory, educational and recommendatory.

"We are not a court, and we do not have prosecutorial powers," Moh...