Despite speculations that the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) would be downgraded to 'B', the watchdog, often referred to as a 'paper tiger', managed to retain its 'A' status.

However, Suhakam chairperson Abu Talib Othman said the Sub Committee for Accreditation (SCA) of the International Coordinating Committee of the National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC) has voiced two concerns.

(The ICC is a body under the United Nations set up to monitor and strengthen human rights institutions in each of its member countries, and acts on the recommendation of the SCA)

The ICC is expected to make the decision official on Dec 18.