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KUALA LUMPUR (9 OCTOBER 2026) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) emphasises that Budget 2027 must go beyond economic growth and fiscal priorities to address the everyday needs, rights and well-being of people across Malaysia. A national budget is more than a financial plan. It reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring that development benefits everyone, particularly those most vulnerable to economic and social inequalities.

Every parent should be able to send their child to school knowing that the child will be safe. Every worker, including gig workers, should be able to earn a decent living without exploitation and with adequate social protection. Farmers and small-scale food producers should be supported in sustaining their livelihoods while ensuring access to affordable, safe and nutritious food. These are everyday human rights concerns that should guide public spending towards greater equality, fairness and accountability.

SUHAKAM recognises the Government’s responsibility to balance competing fiscal priorities. However, insufficient investment in essential services and preventive measures can deepen inequalities and place greater pressure on public institutions. Budget 2027 should therefore prioritise access to quality healthcare, education, affordable housing and social protection, particularly for low-income households, persons with disabilities, older persons, women, children and rural communities. In line with Malaysia’s commitments under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), SUHAKAM calls for disability-inclusive and gender-responsive budgeting to ensure that public resources address existing inequalities, remove barriers to essential services and promote equal opportunities for women, girls and persons with disabilities.

The safety and well-being of children must remain a national priority. Through its Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC), SUHAKAM has repeatedly raised concerns about bullying, violence and inadequate safeguards in schools. These concerns demonstrate the need for sustained investment in school safety, effective reporting mechanisms, psychosocial support and institutional accountability to ensure that every child can learn in a safe and supportive environment.

Economic development must also protect workers’ rights and sustainable livelihoods. Particular attention should be given to gig workers and those in informal employment who face income insecurity, limited social protection and occupational risks. Equally important is supporting farmers, smallholders, fishers and rural communities facing rising costs, environmental degradation and climate-related challenges. Budget 2027 should strengthen food security, sustainable agriculture and responsible management of natural resources, while safeguarding the environment and the rights of affected communities, including Indigenous Peoples.

Strong and independent institutions are essential to ensuring that national policies translate into meaningful improvements in people’s lives. As Malaysia’s national human rights institution, SUHAKAM plays a vital role in advising the Government, examining complaints, conducting inquiries and monitoring, promoting human rights awareness and recommending institutional reforms. However, SUHAKAM continues to face serious financial constraints, with nearly 90 per cent of its annual budget committed to emoluments and essential operating expenditure, leaving limited resources for programmes and activities. These constraints have restricted the Commission’s ability to expand investigations, monitoring and human rights education, while plans to establish regional offices to improve public access to its services remain unrealised. This is particularly concerning as SUHAKAM’s responsibilities continue to expand, including through the strengthened mandate of the OCC.

SUHAKAM emphasises that Section 19(1) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 [Act 597] imposes a clear legal obligation on the Government to provide adequate annual funding to enable the Commission to discharge its functions effectively. This is not a matter of discretion or goodwill, but a statutory responsibility that must be fulfilled. The Paris Principles further reinforce the importance of adequate financial resources in safeguarding the independence and effectiveness of national human rights institutions. SUHAKAM therefore urges the Government to fulfil this obligation through Budget 2027 and ensure that financial constraints do not continue to limit the Commission’s ability to carry out its mandate. Investing in SUHAKAM is an investment in the protection of human rights, stronger public institutions, accountability and Malaysia’s international credibility.

SUHAKAM calls on the Government to ensure that Budget 2027 reflects a genuine commitment to human rights-based development. Ultimately, its success should be measured not only by economic indicators, but also by how effectively public resources reduce inequalities, protect livelihoods, improve quality of life and reach those who need them most.

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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

9 October 2026

KUALA LUMPUR (6 OCTOBER 2026) – The Children’s Commissioners (CC), Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), express its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the family of young Irene Sofiya following her tragic passing in Batu Pahat, Johor. The loss of a young life is a devastating tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with her bereaved family and loved ones during this painful time.

The CC urge members of the public, media organisations, and social media users to grant the family privacy, dignity, and space necessary to grieve. We strongly appeal to all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from publishing intrusive media reports, sharing distressing images, or circulating unverified claims.

Respect for Ongoing Criminal Investigations

The CC acknowledge the swift response of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) in initiating a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The CC strictly refrain from prejudging the circumstances, motives, or specific factors surrounding this tragedy, including unverified reports regarding potential bullying and urges the public to avoid speculation, premature online accusations, or “trial by media.”

Where children may be involved in any capacity whether as witnesses, affected peers, or individuals under investigation, the preservation of procedural fairness and due process is paramount. In alignment with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Child Act 2001 [Act 611], the rights, privacy, dignity, and presumption of innocence of all children must be strictly safeguarded. Protecting the legal rights and confidentiality of children under investigation in no way diminishes the severity of the loss, nor does it preclude accountability in accordance with the law.

Distinguishing Criminal Justice from Institutional Safeguarding

While Royal Malaysian Police’s ongoing criminal investigation must establish the facts and determine criminal responsibility, the CC highlight the critical need to address broader institutional safeguarding in educational environments.

The CC emphasize that a criminal investigation by law enforcement and an institutional safeguarding review by the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) are two distinct but complementary processes:

1. The RMP Investigation: Focuses on establishing facts, collecting evidence, and identifying criminal culpability under the relevant statutes.
2. The MOE Safeguarding Review: Examines administrative frameworks, supervision protocols, risk management strategies, and physical safety measures to identify systemic gaps and prevent future tragedies.

Raising these broader systemic questions is essential for preventive risk management and does not imply or constitute a finding of institutional failure in this specific case.

Strengthening School Safeguarding, Student Accountability, and After-School Protocols

Every child has an inherent right to an education in a safe, secure, and protective environment. School safety must extend beyond basic disciplinary rules to encompass a proactive, child-centred safeguarding culture.

To enhance child protection frameworks across all schools, the CC recommend that MOE consider the following concrete measures:

• Robust Student Accountability Frameworks: Moving beyond standard morning attendance-taking to establish robust check-out and handover procedures. Schools must maintain clear oversight of student presence during extra classes, co-curricular sessions, sports training, and late afternoon activities.
• Standardised Missing Student Escalation Protocols: Developing clear, time-sensitive escalation guidelines that define immediate search parameters, designate staff coordination roles, specify parental and administrative notification timelines, and set out clear thresholds for escalating matters to RMP.
• Targeted After-School Risk Assessments: Conducting comprehensive risk evaluations specifically tailored to activities taking place outside regular school hours, taking into account lower staffing levels, movement across school grounds, and isolated or under-supervised areas.
• Systemic Safeguarding Audits: Executing nationwide school safeguarding audits—moving beyond conventional security checks—to evaluate student movement, reporting mechanisms, physical facility blind spots, and overall staff safeguarding awareness.
• Immediate Nationwide Familiarisation with Child Protection Policies: Implement immediate, nationwide familiarisation programmes across all schools to ensure that students understand the school’s child protection policy, their rights to safety and protection, how to recognise and report bullying, abuse, harassment, and other safeguarding concerns, and where to seek help.

Trauma-Informed Support and Child Participation

The psychological impact of a tragedy of this nature on classmates, friends, and the broader school community requires immediate and compassionate attention. The CC call upon MOE and relevant state agencies to deploy trauma-informed psychosocial support services to assist affected children and educators. Any interaction with child witnesses must prioritize emotional safety, avoid unnecessary repeated questioning, and be conducted using child-sensitive approaches.

Furthermore, children should be recognized as active partners in their own safety. Reporting channels within schools must be rendered accessible, trusted, confidential, and child-friendly, ensuring that students know where to turn when they feel unsafe or notice warning signs in their peers.

As the International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on 11 October, this tragedy is a painful reminder that our commitment to girls’ rights must extend beyond words and observances to real and meaningful change. Every girl has the right to learn, grow and pursue her future in safety and with dignity. Honouring girls’ rights means building a society where no girl loses her life simply because she went to school, and where every school is a place in which children are protected from harm.

This heartbreaking incident must serve as a catalyst for meaningful, sustained, and nationwide institutional reform. Protecting our children requires unwavering commitment, clear lines of accountability, and proactive safeguarding frameworks across every learning environment in Malaysia. The CC remain steadfast in its mandate to advocate for the rights, protection, and best interests of all children, and stand ready to collaborate with MOE, RMP, and civil society to strengthen child protection mechanisms across the nation.

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CHILDREN’S COMMISSIONERS
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF MALAYSIA (SUHAKAM)
6 OCTOBER 2026

KUALA LUMPUR (24 SEPTEMBER 2026) – Children’s Commissioners (CC) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) commend the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for the successful implementation of Ops Pedo3.0, and for their continued efforts to combat child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and online sexual exploitation of children. CC note the reported arrest of 53 individuals, including eight children, the youngest reportedly aged 13, following nationwide operations conducted from 14 to 16 September 2026.

CSAM must be treated with the utmost seriousness. It is not merely illicit or harmful digital content; it is evidence of the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. The production, possession, distribution, sharing, sale and other forms of dissemination of CSAM must be addressed firmly. Equally important are efforts to identify and protect children depicted in such material, stop its further circulation, remove harmful content and prevent further victimisation. Malaysian law expressly criminalises, among other conduct, the production, distribution and possession or control of CSAM under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792).

At the same time, particular caution is required when the person arrested in connection with CSAM-related conduct is a child. A child found in possession of, sharing or allegedly selling CSAM should not automatically be viewed or treated in the same manner as an adult perpetrator. The circumstances of each child must be carefully and individually assessed, including their age, level of understanding, vulnerability, role in the alleged conduct and the circumstances in which they came into possession of or became involved with the material.

A child involved in CSAM-related conduct may, in some circumstances, have been subjected to grooming, peer pressure, threats, coercion, blackmail or sextortion, manipulation, economic exploitation or other forms of online abuse. This does not mean that every child involved is necessarily a victim. Rather, the possibility that a child may have been exploited or coerced must be properly investigated. This is particularly important in light of the legal recognition of child grooming and related sexual offences under Act 792.

CC emphasise that the child justice response should therefore not begin primarily from a punitive perspective. Where a child is suspected of involvement in CSAM-related conduct, the response should include an individual protection and risk assessment, safeguarding measures, investigation into possible grooming or exploitation, psychosocial support and counselling, digital safety education, rehabilitation, family and social support, and diversion where legally appropriate. Such an approach is consistent with the CRC principles concerning the best interests of the child, protection from violence and sexual exploitation, and the reintegration of children in conflict with the law.

A child-sensitive approach, however, does not mean that authorities should ignore unlawful conduct or allow CSAM to continue circulating. Law enforcement must continue to take appropriate action to stop further dissemination, protect and identify child victims, secure and examine relevant digital evidence, identify online networks and facilitators, and investigate any adults who may have groomed, coerced, exploited or profited from children. The distinction is that the role and circumstances of a child must be assessed separately from those of adult perpetrators and exploiters.

CC are also concerned that an overly punitive response towards children may create a risk of further victimisation and under-reporting. A child who has been exploited or coerced may become fearful of approaching authorities or seeking assistance if they believe that disclosure could result primarily in their own criminalisation. This is a risk that should be carefully considered when determining the appropriate response, particularly where there are indications of grooming, coercion or exploitation.

Where a child is found to have participated in the possession, sharing or distribution of CSAM, the response should therefore be child-sensitive, proportionate, rehabilitative and consistent with the principles of child justice. Diversion should be considered where legally appropriate and where it serves the child’s best interests, public protection and the prevention of reoffending. Where deprivation of liberty is contemplated, international child-rights standards require that it be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period.

CC call upon all relevant authorities to ensure that investigations involving children are conducted with due regard to child protection and child justice principles, while ensuring that adult perpetrators, exploiters and networks facilitating the sexual exploitation of children are fully investigated and held accountable in accordance with the law.

Protecting children from sexual exploitation requires more than enforcement alone. It requires prevention, early intervention, effective digital safety measures, protection and support for victims, rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law, and a justice system that recognises every child as a rights-holder.

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Children’s Commissioners (CC)
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

24 September 2026

KUALA LUMPUR (17 SEPTEMBER 2026) – For more than three decades, transboundary haze has remained a persistent environmental and public health challenge in Southeast Asia, repeatedly exposing communities to harmful levels of air pollution and threatening their health, safety and well-being. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) expresses grave concern over the worsening haze situation affecting Malaysia, particularly in Sarawak, where several areas have recorded hazardous air quality levels. The current episode has caused severe air pollution in affected communities, necessitating emergency measures, including the closure of schools.

SUHAKAM reiterates that access to clean air is fundamentally a human rights issue. Haze pollution directly threatens the enjoyment of a range of human rights, including the rights to life, health, education, information, safe and healthy working conditions, and a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The current situation is a stark reminder that transboundary haze is largely a human-induced problem. Its underlying causes include unsustainable land-use practices, peatland degradation, agricultural expansion, land and forest fires, and inadequate accountability and environmental governance mechanisms. While weather conditions may intensify haze episodes, they should not obscure the need to address these underlying and preventable causes.

SUHAKAM is particularly concerned about the public health consequences of prolonged exposure to haze pollutants, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, increased hospital admissions and premature mortality. Previous severe haze episodes have also resulted in school closures, disruption to livelihoods, loss of economic productivity and significant healthcare costs.

While environmental degradation affects everyone, its impacts are not experienced equally. Children, pregnant women, older persons, persons with disabilities and individuals with existing health vulnerabilities may face greater health risks. Outdoor workers and lower-income communities may also have fewer options to reduce their exposure, particularly where their livelihoods require them to remain outdoors or where access to adequate protection, healthcare and information is limited.

The right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is one of the key areas of SUHAKAM’s work. In 2025, SUHAKAM launched its report, Silent Enemy: Haze Pollution and the Right to Clean Air, which examined the causes and human rights impacts of haze pollution and identified gaps in Malaysia’s legal and institutional framework for environmental governance. This year, SUHAKAM further advanced the discussion through its Forum on Human Rights, Business and Climate Justice 2026, highlighting the responsibilities of both States and businesses in addressing environmental harm and protecting human rights.

In light of the current situation, SUHAKAM reiterates its calls and urges the Government of Malaysia to:

1. Uphold its duty to protect the right to life and other fundamental rights under the Federal Constitution, while advancing Malaysia’s commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2025 ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment.
2. Strengthen access to environmental justice by reviewing and amending the Rules of Court 2012 to facilitate locus standi in environmental proceedings, ensuring that affected individuals, communities and legitimate public-interest litigants are not unduly prevented by procedural barriers from seeking judicial protection and effective remedies for environmental harm.Expedite the Clean Air Act that establishes legally enforceable ambient air quality standards and recognises the protection of public health and environmental rights as central objectives. 
3. Strengthen regional cooperation through ASEAN mechanisms, including the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP), to address the root causes of transboundary haze and enhance transparency, information-sharing, hotspot monitoring, prevention, enforcement and accountability.
4. Fully implement the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAPBHR), including measures to strengthen corporate accountability and responsible business conduct in relation to environmental and human rights impacts.
5. Accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those relating to health, sustainable communities, climate action and environmental protection, through stronger institutional coordination and meaningful stakeholder participation.

The recurring haze crisis demonstrates that the right to clean air cannot be protected through reactive measures alone. A coordinated, rights-based, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach is urgently needed to address the structural causes of haze pollution and ensure that public health, environmental sustainability and human dignity are not sacrificed for short-term economic interests. SUHAKAM stands ready to work with government agencies, civil society organisations, affected communities, businesses and other stakeholders to advance meaningful and lasting solutions to this recurring crisis.

Ultimately, the air we breathe and the environment we depend upon know no boundaries of gender, race, religion, nationality, legal status or socioeconomic background. Environmental harm in one place can have consequences far beyond its source. This shared vulnerability demands shared responsibility. We must therefore act collectively and without delay to protect the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, not only for those affected today, but for our children, grandchildren and generations to come.

Silent Enemy: Haze Pollution and the Right to Clean Air can be accessed via the QR below:

KUALA LUMPUR (11 SEPTEMBER 2026) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) welcomes the Federal Court’s decision in favour of seven Orang Asli villagers from Kampung Batu 20, Pekan, Pahang, concerning the destruction of their ancestral graves during development activities.

The unanimous decision reinstated the High Court’s ruling in favour of the villagers, including the award of RM20,000 in general damages to each of the seven plaintiffs. Significantly, the Federal Court affirmed that Orang Asli communities possess communal and proprietary rights over customary lands on which they have traditionally lived, foraged, farmed and fished, notwithstanding the absence of formal land titles.

SUHAKAM particularly welcomes the Court’s recognition that Orang Asli customary rights extend beyond the physical occupation or economic use of land to encompass their cultural and spiritual relationship with their ancestors and traditional territories, including access to ancestral burial grounds. The Court’s finding that the desecration of ancestral graves strikes at the core of Orang Asli dignity affirms the deep connection between land, culture, spirituality and identity. The judgment further reinforces that the issuance of land titles or development rights to third parties does not, by itself, extinguish pre-existing customary rights.

This decision underscores the need to protect customary rights before development takes place, rather than leaving affected communities to seek redress only after harm has occurred. SUHAKAM reiterates that Government authorities, State agencies and businesses have a responsibility to identify and respect customary land rights before land is alienated or development projects are approved or commenced. This requires meaningful engagement with affected communities and respect for the principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), particularly where development may affect customary lands, burial grounds, sacred sites, livelihoods or cultural heritage.

The decision is also consistent with the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which Malaysia supported. UNDRIP recognises Indigenous Peoples’ rights to maintain and strengthen their distinctive spiritual relationship with their traditionally owned or otherwise occupied lands and territories, and to practise and revitalise their cultural traditions and customs.

SUHAKAM therefore calls on the Federal and State Governments to strengthen the legal and administrative recognition and protection of Orang Asli customary land rights. Clear safeguards are needed to ensure that customary territories, burial grounds and culturally significant sites are properly identified and protected before land is alienated, leased or approved for development. Businesses operating on or near customary territories must likewise undertake effective human rights due diligence to prevent adverse impacts on the rights, dignity, culture and heritage of Orang Asli communities and ensure access to effective remedies where harm occurs.

This judgment is an important reminder that development cannot be pursued at the expense of human dignity, cultural identity and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Protecting Orang Asli customary lands is not merely a matter of land administration, but one of equality, dignity, cultural survival and justice.

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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

11 September 2026

KUALA LUMPUR (9 SEPTEMBER 2026) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) commemorates SUHAKAM Day today, marking a historic 27 years since the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 [Act 597] was gazetted on 9 September 1999.

The establishment of SUHAKAM as Malaysia’s National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) represented an important national commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. Since its establishment and guided by its “Human Rights for All” slogan, SUHAKAM has served as an independent institution that advises and assists the Government in the formulation of legislation, administrative directives and procedures; recommends necessary measures; investigates complaints of human rights violations; conducts inquiries; promotes human rights education; and engages with communities and stakeholders across Malaysia.

As a result of its continued commitment and collaborative efforts with stakeholders, SUHAKAM was re-accredited with ‘A’ status by the Sub-Committee on Accreditation of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI-SCA) in June 2026. This re-accreditation reflects international recognition of SUHAKAM’s continued compliance with the Paris Principles, which establish the standards for the independence, effectiveness, pluralism, and mandate of NHRIs. As an ‘A’ status NHRI, SUHAKAM is entitled to participate fully in international human rights mechanisms, including sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and treaty body processes.

SUHAKAM’s institutional mandate was further strengthened through amendments to Act 597, which came into force on 10 July 2024. Among other changes, the amendments enhanced the functions of the Commission and the Office of the Children’s Commissioner; provided for the appointment of a Chief Children’s Commissioner and two Children’s Commissioners; strengthened SUHAKAM’s investigative powers; and expanded its authority to visit places of detention, institutions and other relevant premises. The amendments also require authorities and relevant persons to inform SUHAKAM of actions taken in response to its recommendations.

The inclusion of representation of persons with disabilities and a requirement for at least 30 percent women in the composition of the Commission represent further important advancements towards ensuring that SUHAKAM reflects the diversity and lived experiences of the communities it serves. These measures reinforce the principles of participation, inclusion and equality embodied in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Throughout its 27-year journey, SUHAKAM has brought critical human rights concerns to national attention through complaints handling, research, public inquiries, monitoring, policy recommendations and sustained engagement with the Government, Parliament, civil society and affected communities. Its work has addressed a wide range of human rights issues, including deaths and conditions in custody, enforced disappearances, Indigenous Peoples’ land rights, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, discrimination, trafficking in persons, business and human rights, statelessness, and the rights of children, women, persons with disabilities, refugees, older persons and other vulnerable communities.

SUHAKAM also welcomes the progress made in the tabling and debate of its Annual Reports in Parliament. Parliamentary consideration of these reports strengthens public accountability and provides an important platform for human rights concerns and SUHAKAM’s recommendations to be examined at the national level. While these developments represent meaningful progress, the effectiveness of an NHRI must ultimately be measured not only by the reports it produces or the recommendations it makes, but by the extent to which those recommendations lead to tangible improvements in laws, policies, institutions and, most importantly, the lived realities of the people whose rights are intended to be protected.

In an era marked by geopolitical tensions, climate change, rapid technological developments and increasing socioeconomic pressures, SUHAKAM emphasises that human rights must remain at the centre of national policymaking and governance. Now more than ever, there is a need to reaffirm and strengthen human rights principles to ensure that development is inclusive, equitable and leaves no one behind. In this regard, SUHAKAM reiterates the importance of further strengthening its functional and operational independence, ensuring adequate and sustainable resources, enhancing transparency in the appointment process, facilitating effective and unannounced access to all places of deprivation of liberty, and establishing stronger mechanisms to ensure the timely implementation of its recommendations.

SUHAKAM Day symbolises SUHAKAM’s continued commitment to fulfilling its mandate with independence, integrity and accountability. SUHAKAM will continue to serve as a bridge between the people and the State, amplify the voices of marginalised communities, and advocate for a human rights-based approach to governance and development. Guided by the principle of “Human Rights for All”, SUHAKAM remains steadfast in its pursuit of a Malaysia where human dignity is respected, equality is upheld, justice is accessible to all, and the rights and freedoms of every person are protected and fulfilled.

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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

9 September  2026

KUALA LUMPUR (14 AUGUST 2026) – The Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC), Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), is deeply concerned by the reported incident involving a nine-year-old child who was allegedly bullied by an older student at a tahfiz school in Kedah. It is particularly distressing that the child reportedly sustained physical injuries and psychological trauma and is now fearful of returning to school.

Every child has the right to learn and develop in a safe, supportive and dignified environment, free from violence, abuse, intimidation and bullying. This is consistent with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which requires children to be protected from all forms of physical or mental violence and affirms that their best interests must be a primary consideration in all actions concerning them. All educational institutions owe a duty of care to the children entrusted to them. This responsibility applies equally to government schools, tahfiz schools, religious schools and all other private educational institutions.

OCC calls on every educational institution to establish and rigorously implement comprehensive child safeguarding and anti-bullying mechanisms. These should include clear procedures to prevent, report, investigate and respond to incidents, adequate supervision particularly in residential settings, confidential and child-friendly reporting channels, prompt notification of parents or guardians, and timely access to medical care, counselling and psychosocial support. Teachers, wardens and other personnel must be properly screened, trained and equipped to identify signs of bullying, abuse or distress and to intervene without delay. Institutions must also maintain proper records of reported incidents and cooperate fully with parents, enforcement agencies, child protection authorities and relevant regulators.

The safety of children cannot depend solely on whether a child has the courage or ability to disclose what has happened. Institutions must have proactive systems to identify risks, detect warning signs and intervene before harm escalates. Any response must prioritise the best interests, safety, recovery and continued education of the affected child. No child should face retaliation, stigma or further disadvantage for reporting bullying.

OCC also reminds parents and guardians that the Anti-Bullying Tribunal Act 2026 came into force on 16 June 2026. Incidents occurring on or after that date may be reported through the mechanisms provided under the Act. For schools under the Ministry of Education (MOE), complaints may be directed to the school for action through its school-level anti-bullying committee. Where a school or educational institution is not registered under MOE, including relevant private or religious institutions, parents or guardians may lodge a claim directly with the Anti-Bullying Tribunal.

The Tribunal provides a resolution and remedial mechanism that is distinct from the criminal justice process. Depending on the circumstances of the case, it may order remedies such as an apology, counselling, compensation or reimbursement of reasonable expenses arising from the incident, including medical costs. Where the alleged conduct may constitute a criminal offence, particularly when it involves physical assault, serious injury, threats or an immediate risk to a child’s safety, a police report should also be lodged. Recourse to the Tribunal does not replace or prevent a criminal investigation by the police.

OCC urges the Government and relevant authorities to ensure that parents, guardians, children and educational institutions receive clear and accessible information on these reporting pathways. No complaint should be delayed or left without action and all relevant authorities should conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into the reported incident and to ensure that the affected child receives appropriate protection and support. The child’s identity and privacy must be safeguarded throughout the process.

This incident must serve as a clear warning to every institution entrusted with the care and education of children and child safeguarding is a fundamental obligation, not an administrative option. OCC urges the relevant authorities to ensure that binding and consistently enforced safeguarding and anti-bullying standards apply across all educational settings, including private and religious institutions. No institution should be permitted to operate without effective systems to protect every child’s safety, well-being and dignity.

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Children’s Commissioners (CC)
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

14 August 2026

KUALA LUMPUR (31 JULY 2026) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), in its capacity as Chair of the South East Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF) for 2026, successfully hosted the 2nd Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting of SEANF, a side event and a study visit from 21 to 23 July 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The 2nd TWG Meeting brought together SEANF member institutions, with in-person participation from the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP), the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT), and Provedor de Direitos Humanos e Justiça (PDHJ), Timor-Leste, as well as virtual participation from the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) and the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC).

The meeting was officially opened by SUHAKAM Commissioner Mr Abdul Kadir Jailani Ismail, who underscored that trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling remain among the most pressing human rights challenges confronting Southeast Asia. He emphasised that the role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) extends beyond advocacy to promoting accountability, strengthening protection mechanisms and fostering regional cooperation.

Over the two-day meeting, SEANF members exchanged updates on key developments, initiatives and challenges since the 1st TWG Meeting of SEANF 2026. Discussions focused on the continued implementation of the 2022–2026 SEANF Strategic Plan, particularly its four strategic priorities: ensuring human rights remain central in a post-pandemic environment; advancing business and human rights; preventing torture and other forms of ill-treatment; and strengthening SEANF as a credible, independent and effective regional network.

In line with its lead role under Strategic Priority 4, SUHAKAM reaffirmed its commitment to advancing discussions on strengthening SEANF’s governance, including advocating for a two-thirds majority voting mechanism where consensus cannot be reached on specific key matters. The meeting also deliberated on several emerging regional human rights issues, including the proposed ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment, the rights of older persons, inter-NHRI cooperation on statelessness, and the human rights situation in Sabah.

On 22 July 2026, SUHAKAM hosted a side event entitled “Forum on the Refugee and Trafficking in Persons Crises in Southeast Asia: Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Cooperation.” Held alongside the TWG Meeting, the forum provided a regional platform for participants to discuss emerging trends, protection gaps and challenges relating to refugees, asylum-seekers and trafficking in persons in Southeast Asia. The discussions also enhanced understanding of the complementary roles of NHRIs, government agencies, international organisations and civil society organisations in protecting affected individuals, while identifying practical opportunities for regional cooperation through SEANF, including information sharing, case referrals, joint advocacy, capacity-building and follow-up initiatives.

In conjunction with the forum, SUHAKAM organised a study visit to Baitul Mahabbah Nilai, providing delegates with an opportunity to better understand the Government’s temporary arrangement for refugee children below the age of 12, which reflects efforts to move children out of immigration detention, as recommended by the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in its February 2026 Concluding Observations to Malaysia.

The meeting concluded with a closing address by SUHAKAM Vice-Chairman Datuk Hajah Mariati Robert, who called on ASEAN Member States to strengthen responsibility-sharing in responding to forced displacement and deepen regional cooperation to prevent trafficking in persons, protect victims and survivors, and ensure accountability. She further emphasised SEANF’s important role in fostering collaboration among governments, NHRIs, international organisations and civil society to ensure that forced displacement, statelessness and trafficking in persons are recognised not merely as domestic concerns but as shared regional human rights challenges requiring sustained collective action.

The successful convening of the 2nd TWG Meeting of SEANF reaffirmed the commitment of member institutions to strengthening SEANF as a credible, independent and effective regional human rights network. The meeting concluded with SEANF members reaffirming their commitment to enhance regional solidarity, strengthen cooperation in addressing emerging human rights challenges, and uphold the principles of human dignity, equality and justice across Southeast Asia.

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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

31 July 2026

KUALA LUMPUR (1 JULY 2026) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) is deeply concerned by the disclosure that 465 deaths were recorded in immigration detention depots between 2021 and 2025, as reported by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Parliament. These figures underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to better protect the lives, dignity and health of all persons held in immigration detention.

Every death in custody must be treated with the utmost seriousness. Regardless of an individual’s immigration status, every person deprived of liberty remains entitled to the right to life, the highest attainable standard of health, and to be treated with humanity and dignity.

SUHAKAM has consistently maintained that deaths in custody are not merely operational or administrative matters, but serious human rights concerns that demand transparency, accountability and meaningful systemic reform. Through its monitoring visits to immigration detention depots and continuous engagement with the relevant authorities, the Commission has repeatedly raised concerns over overcrowding, inadequate healthcare services, delayed medical referrals, poor sanitation, insufficient nutrition, prolonged detention, and the detrimental impact of these conditions on the physical and mental well-being of detainees. These long-standing concerns highlight the need for sustained structural reforms to ensure that immigration detention facilities comply with Malaysia’s human rights obligations.

Therefore, SUHAKAM reiterates its longstanding recommendations that the Government:

1. Strengthen healthcare services in all immigration detention depots by ensuring adequate numbers of qualified medical personnel, regular health screenings, prompt referrals to hospitals, continuous treatment for chronic illnesses, and sufficient access to essential medicines;
2. Improve detention conditions by addressing overcrowding, sanitation, ventilation, nutrition and access to clean water to minimise the risk of communicable diseases and prevent avoidable deaths;
3. Ensure every death in custody is subject to a prompt, independent, transparent and effective investigation, with findings made public where appropriate and accountability established whenever negligence or misconduct is identified; and
4. Strengthen independent monitoring of immigration detention facilities by facilitating regular oversight by SUHAKAM and other relevant independent bodies.

Beyond improving conditions of detention, greater emphasis must also be placed on preventive measures. Early medical screening upon admission, regular health assessments, continuous monitoring of detainees with pre-existing medical conditions, timely referrals for specialist treatment, and uninterrupted access to essential healthcare are critical to preventing avoidable deaths in custody. The reported number of deaths should serve as a catalyst for the Government to undertake a comprehensive review of immigration detention policies and practices, placing equal emphasis on accountability for deaths that occur and, more importantly, on preventing future deaths through effective, rights-based reforms.

SUHAKAM therefore calls on the Government to take immediate and concrete action to strengthen healthcare, improve detention conditions, and implement rights-based reforms to ensure that every individual in immigration detention is treated with dignity and that preventable deaths are never regarded as inevitable.

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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

1 July 2026