KUALA LUMPUR (March 13): The Malaysian Government said its commitment to the rule of law and human rights had provided "democratic space for its citizens."

In a statement late yesterday, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said such commitment came with the obligation to ensure peace, stability and harmony in the country.

"The government has and will continue to provide the necessary democratic space for its citizens. In the same manner, the government has the obligation to ensure peace, stability and harmony in the country, which are preconditions of the full enjoyment of rights," the ministry said.

The ministry's statement was in response to the United Nations high commissioner for human rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein's recent comments on the human rights situation in Malaysia.

According to the ministry, Zeid Ra’ad made specific references to the limiting of democratic space in Malaysia and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (DSAI).   

"The Government of Malaysia regrets that the concerns expressed by the high commissioner was based on unsubstantiated and one-sided information.  

"In the case of DSAI, the government had provided an extensive response towards the opinion adopted by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. The government maintains that based on indisputable facts and legal basis, DSAI is not a political prisoner and was convicted after a fair and lengthy trial," the ministry said.

According to the ministry, Malaysia accords the utmost importance to the work of the UN Human Rights Council as an inter-governmental body that is guided by principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity.

As such, the ministry said the government hoped the council would conduct balanced assessments on member states' human rights situation.

"Malaysia values the constructive dialogue and active engagement that the UN Human Rights Council is predicated on and will continue to maintain close cooperation with its mechanisms," the ministry said.