Malaysia

Malaysia has a permanent standing National Mechanism for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (NMIRF) led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Department of Multilateral Affairs, specifically the Human Rights and Humanitarian Division. The Division serves as a focal point for NMIRF to follow up to the UPR recommendations while the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development is the NMIRF focal point for treaty bodies which Malaysia is a party to. It coordinates with various ministries and agencies to fulfill its human rights obligations and engages in constructive consultations with all stakeholders.

INSTITUTIONAL SET-UP

The NMIRF concerning the UPR is led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is under the purview of the Human Rights and Humanitarian Division. The Division oversees coordination among line agencies and acts as the main focal point.

The mechanism includes focal points from various ministries and agencies, appointed based on their relevance to the NMIRF process. Officers are required to prepare handover notes, and new officers receive refresher courses and manuals to maintain institutional knowledge.

Composition

The following entities have focal points in the NMIRF:

1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Secretariat
2. Ministry of Home Affairs
3. Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development
4. Ministry of Rural and Regional Development
5. Ministry of Health
6. Ministry of National Unity
7. Ministry of Housing and Local Government
8. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability
9. Ministry of Higher Education
10. Ministry of Education
11. Ministry of Human Resources
12. Ministry of Communications
13. Ministry of Economy
14. Ministry of Finance
15. Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department
16. Attorney General’s Chambers
17. Department of Syariah Judiciary Malaysia
18. Department of Islamic Development Malaysia
19. Department of Orang Asli
20. National Security Council
21. Malaysian Parliament
22. Federal Court Malaysia
23. Implementation Coordination Unit
24. Economic Planning Unit Sabah
25. Economic Planning Unit Sarawak

Other Ministries will be invited to join as and when needed based on current human rights progress in Malaysia.

Working methods

The Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Tindakan Hak Asasi Manusia Kebangsaan (National Human Rights Action Committee Meeting) serves as a best practice in ensuring a structured, inclusive and transparent consultation process in Malaysia’s engagement with the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Established as a key national mechanism, this committee plays a crucial role in coordinating efforts related to Malaysia’s human rights obligations.

Chaired by Deputy Secretary General for Multilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the committee brings together representatives from various ministries, government agencies, the National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), civil society organizations (CSOs), academia and other relevant stakeholders. These diverse actors contribute to discussions on human rights priorities, policy formulation, and implementation strategies, ensuring a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to human rights governance.

The meetings are convened periodically to facilitate comprehensive consultations, track progress on recommendations, and identify challenges in implementation. Through this structured engagement, the committee enhances transparency and strengthens partnerships between the government and civil society in advancing human rights in Malaysia.

MANDATE

The NMIRF mandate includes:

• Reporting to UN Treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
• Responding to individual complaints and communications from UN Special Procedures
• Hosting visits from UN Special Procedures
• Reporting to regional mechanisms
• Following up and implementing recommendations
• Contributing to institutional reforms and legislative changes
• Providing human rights education and advocacy

The NMIRF engages with UN Treaty Bodies, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and UN Special Procedures.

COORDINATION

The NMIRF holds three meetings annually with participation from line agencies and civil society organizations (CSOs). The National Human Rights Action Committee Meeting (Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Tindakan Hak Asasi Manusia Kebangsaan), chaired by the Deputy Secretary General for Multilateral Affairs, ensures inclusive and transparent consultations, among all stakeholders.

CONSULTATION

Other stakeholders are involved through coordination meetings and workshops.

Information management tools to track the implementation of recommendations include email, Google Drive, and the National Recommendations Tracking Database (NRTD).

While Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) guiding the use of these tools were not specified, the National mechanism tracks progress and identifies challenges through structured meetings. Malaysia has developed action plans and implementation strategies, although specific documents are not detailed.

Human Rights and Humanitarian Division (HRHD), Department of Multilateral Affairs The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia

Wisma Putra Complex No. 1, Jalan Wisma Putra Precinct 2, Federal Government Administrative Centre 62602 Putrajaya Malaysia

Telephone : 603-8000 8000 / 603-8887 4562

Email : hrhd@kln.gov.my

Website : http://www.kln.gov.my