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KUALA LUMPUR (11 FEBRUARY 2026) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) expresses its concern over the recent arrest of 20 individuals in connection with police action relating to the planned rally organised by Gerakan Anti Rumah Anutan Haram (GARAH) on 7 February 2026.

SUHAKAM reiterates that the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental liberties guaranteed under the Federal Constitution and recognised under international human rights law. At the same time, these rights are not absolute and must be exercised responsibly, with due regard to the inherent dignity, equality and rights of all persons. They must not be misused to promote hatred, racism, discrimination or hostility against any group.

Peaceful assembly remains a legitimate democratic space to raise concerns and advocate for change when conducted in a manner consistent with human rights principles, including non-discrimination, equality before the law and respect for diversity. In this regard, international standards, including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), protect the right to manifest religion, including the establishment and protection of places of worship, and require States to prevent both direct and indirect discrimination, including where attacks on religious identity disproportionately affect ethnic or minority groups. While freedom of speech is generally protected, advocacy that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence is prohibited under international law, specifically Article 19(3) and Article 20(2) of the ICCPR.

In this context, SUHAKAM emphasises that allegations involving hate speech, racist conduct or incitement to discrimination should be addressed firmly and in accordance with the law, guided by due process and applicable human rights standards. Constitutional freedoms cannot be invoked to justify conduct that undermines the rights, safety and dignity of others.

At the same time, SUHAKAM notes that the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012 places responsibilities on the authorities, including the police, to manage assemblies in a lawful, proportionate and facilitative manner. Any enforcement action taken should be grounded in clear legal authority, respect due process, and be appropriate to the circumstances.

SUHAKAM is closely monitoring developments surrounding this incident, including the legal basis and circumstances of enforcement actions taken, to ensure that all responses — by both organisers and authorities — remain consistent with constitutional guarantees, the rule of law, the PAA 2012, and Malaysia’s international human rights obligations.

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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

11 February 2026

KUALA LUMPUR (29 JANUARY 2026) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) welcomes the Concluding Remarks of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) following Malaysia’s recent review under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. SUHAKAM notes the Committee’s recognition of Malaysia’s progress in several areas, while underscoring that persistent gaps continue to impede the full realisation of children’s rights and require urgent, coordinated and time-bound action.

SUHAKAM commends the Government for positive measures acknowledged by the CRC, including improvements in maternal and child health outcomes, expanded preventive interventions, and institutional efforts to strengthen child-related policies and services. SUHAKAM also notes the constructive engagement demonstrated by the Government during the review process, reflecting an openness to dialogue and reform. These developments represent important steps forward. However, as emphasised by the CRC, progress remains uneven and must be consolidated through structural and legislative reforms to ensure that no child is left behind.

In line with its long-standing positions and the Committee’s concluding remarks, SUHAKAM highlights six critical and priority actions requiring immediate attention:

• Withdrawal of Reservations

SUHAKAM reiterates its constant call for the withdrawal of Malaysia’s remaining reservations to the Convention. Their continued maintenance is no longer consistent with Malaysia’s legal and institutional maturity. SUHAKAM urges the Government to expedite and meaningfully conclude the review process initiated in 2017, in line with the Committee’s clear one-year timeframe.

• Harmonisation of Domestic Laws

SUHAKAM calls for the acceleration of law reform to ensure full harmonisation of domestic legislation with the Convention and its General Comments. This must be supported by a coordinated national mechanism with clear leadership, accountability and timelines, prioritising General Comment No. 24 and evidence-based policy development.

• Child Protection and the Child Justice System

SUHAKAM emphasises the need to strengthen child protection systems, including a robust and rights-based approach to alternative care, ensuring that institutionalisation is used strictly as a measure of last resort. SUHAKAM reiterates for the urgent need for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Institutional Care for Children to uncover the complexities of the different authorities managing the insitutions in order to eliminate the systemic issues confronting children in such care and to identify the root causes of the lack of monitoring and supervision of these institutions. The child justice system must be fully aligned with the Convention’s standards and supported by a transparent, professional and accountable child protection workforce.

• ⁠Refugee, Migrant and Undocumented Children

SUHAKAM reiterates its consistent position that refugee, migrant and undocumented children must not be excluded from protection frameworks. Concrete measures are required to include these children within national systems and to ensure access to essential services, including education and social protection. In this context, SUHAKAM highlights the need to progressively realise universal health coverage for all children, regardless of nationality or legal status, and to remove systemic barriers that result in deprivation. SUHAKAM further reiterates its call for the urgent implementation of non-custodial alternatives, the ending of immigration detention of children, and amendments to the Immigration Act to ensure compliance with the Convention’s standards.

• Fiscal Space and Child-Focused Budgeting

As Malaysia advances towards high-income status amid rapid demographic change, SUHAKAM stresses that adequate and sustainable investment in children remains a core human rights obligation. SUHAKAM calls for child-targeted and gender-responsive budgeting, systematic tracking of child-related expenditure, and analysis of investment adequacy against child outcomes to ensure that resource allocation translates into tangible improvements in children’s well-being.

• ⁠Reporting under the Optional Protocols and the CRPD

SUHAKAM urges the Government to expedite the submission of overdue reports under the Optional Protocols, including the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OPAC). This is essential to Malaysia’s commitment to international accountability and full compliance with its treaty obligations, and should be undertaken in a manner that reflects the cross-cutting and indivisible human rights principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, read together with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), thereby ensuring that gender equality and the rights of children with disabilities are fully and systematically addressed.

SUHAKAM further affirms that since the legal incorporation of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) under SUHAKAM, the OCC has been funded solely through SUHAKAM’s existing budget, without any additional allocation from the Government. This institutional arrangement is important in safeguarding the independence of the OCC, as SUHAKAM is Malaysia’s National Human Rights Institution accredited with ‘A’ status under the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and operating in accordance with the Paris Principles. SUHAKAM also acknowledges that the CRC has raised questions regarding the adequacy and sustainability of funding for the OCC. While the current arrangement reflects SUHAKAM’s commitment to strengthening oversight, monitoring, and advocacy for children’s rights, the existing level of funding is not adequate to support the expanded scope of responsibilities arising from the OCC’s statutory mandate. As SUHAKAM continues to expand its presence nationwide and children have become a key demographic requiring focused and sustained engagement, the effective discharge of the OCC’s functions necessitates commensurate and sustainable resourcing.

SUHAKAM recognises the progress achieved by the Government while emphasising that sustained political will and decisive action are required to fully implement the CRC’s recommendations. SUHAKAM remains committed to constructive engagement with the Government, Parliament and all stakeholders to ensure that children’s rights are fully respected, protected and fulfilled in Malaysia.                           

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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
29 January 2026

KUALA LUMPUR (23 JANUARY 2026) – The Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC), Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) welcomes the introduction of the National Education Plan (RPM) 2026–2035 as a strategic continuation of the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013–2025. In general, OCC views the RPM as a positive and progressive step towards improving the quality of education, addressing systemic inequities, and prioritising the well-being of children.

OCC acknowledges the direction of the RPM, which no longer focuses solely on access, but instead, places emphasis on the quality of education, equity and student well-being. This approach is important because truly meaningful education is not merely about ensuring that children attend school, but about ensuring that they learn effectively in a safe, supportive environment that enables their development.

OCC also welcomes the emphasis on the concept of “Insan Sejahtera”, which encompasses academic achievement alongside character development, emotional, social and spiritual well-being. This approach is consistent with a holistic child rights framework and reflects an understanding that educational success should not be measured solely through examination outcomes.

OCC commends the Ministry of Education Malaysia’s (MOE) commitment towards inclusive education, particularly efforts to strengthen support for Students with Special Educational Needs, students in rural and remote areas, Orang Asli children, and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. The principle of ensuring that no child is left behind is clearly articulated within the policy framework.

OCC further commends MOE’s openness in acknowledging existing challenges, including Malaysia’s performance in international assessments such as PISA and TIMSS, urban–rural disparities, and upper secondary school dropout rates. Such transparency is an important foundation for evidence-based and effective policy reform.

However, OCC stresses that the true success of the RPM 2026–2035 will ultimately depend on its consistent and effective implementation, particularly in ensuring the protection and fulfilment of children’s right to education. While the Blueprint presents a strong vision and policy framework, clearer mechanisms are required to safeguard educational rights. OCC reiterates that children are not merely beneficiaries of policy, but they are the rights holders, in line with Malaysia’s obligation under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Therefore, clearer explanations are needed on how students’ right to education will be protected, monitored, and enforced when targets are not met at the school or district level.

OCC further emphasises that upper secondary school dropout should be addressed as a child rights concern rather than solely as an enrolment issue. Each instance of dropout reflects a systemic failure to adequately protect a child’s right to education. OCC urges for a more targeted and rights-sensitive interventions to be developed for children at higher risk, including those living in poverty, children in remote areas, children engaged in labour, those at risk of early marriage, and children without documentation or with unclear legal status.

With regard to inclusive education, OCC notes that gaps remain in infrastructure and physical accessibility, particularly for children with disabilities. Where schools are not disability-friendly, children may be indirectly excluded from accessing education on an equal basis. OCC calls on the MOE to set clear, measurable timelines to upgrade schools to be accessible for children with disabilities, alongside more comprehensive and sustained training for educators in inclusive education.

OCC is also of the view that children’s voices remain insufficiently represented within education governance structures. Meaningful, safe and continuous mechanisms for children to express their views, experiences and concerns are essential to ensure that education policies are responsive to realities on the ground and truly child-centred.

At the same time, OCC underscores that the well-being of teachers and school counsellors is integral to the realisation of students’ right to education. Excessive non-pedagogical workload, high counsellor-to-student ratios and work-related stress can adversely affect the quality of support provided to students. Investment in the welfare of educators is therefore an investment in the present and future of children.

In conclusion, OCC welcomes the RPM 2026–2035 as an important step towards a more inclusive, equitable and future-oriented education system. Nevertheless, strong policy commitments must be accompanied by implementation that is firmly grounded in child rights principles. The ultimate measure of success of the RPM lies not in policy documents or numerical targets, but in its ability to ensure that no child is left behind, marginalised or denied their right to education, particularly those most at risk.

OCC stands ready to engage constructively with the MOE and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the implementation of the RPM 2026–2035 delivers meaningful and lasting improvements to the lives and future of all children in Malaysia.

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Dr Farah Nini Dusuki

Chief Children’s Commissioner

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

23 January 2026.

KUALA LUMPUR (10 JANUARY 2026) – The Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) welcomes the announcement by the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, that children born overseas to Malaysian mothers will automatically obtain Malaysian citizenship by June or July 2026.

This announcement follows the passage of the Federal Constitution (Amendment) Bill on citizenship provisions in October 2024 and marks a significant step forward in addressing long-standing inequalities affecting children’s right to nationality.

While welcoming this development, it is disheartening that the amendment is non-retrospective. In view of this, children born before the implementation date must continue to be accorded Malaysian citizenship through registration under Article 15(2) of the Federal Constitution. No child should be disadvantaged due to delays in the law’s implementation.

The OCC also notes with appreciation the substantial reduction in the backlog of citizenship applications, from approximately 50,000 cases to fewer than 4,000 since the start of the Home Minister’s term in 2022, including cases raised by the OCC. This reflects meaningful progress in administrative reform.

The OCC further notes that the amended Citizenship Regulations 1964 are expected to be rolled out in tandem with the implementation of the constitutional amendment. In this regard, the OCC urges that the amended Regulations be made publicly accessible, procedures simplified, and clear SOPs established to ensure applicants have access to track the progress of their applications and receive written reasons for any rejection.

To ensure effective implementation, the OCC calls for a clear public communication strategy, including nationwide outreach, as well as comprehensive training for front-line officers, particularly at Malaysian embassies and diplomatic missions abroad.

The OCC remains committed to working with the Government to ensure that no child is left without nationality, in accordance with the Federal Constitution and Malaysia’s international human rights obligations.

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Dr Farah Nini Dusuki

Chief Children’s Commissioner

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

10 January 2026.

KUALA LUMPUR (21 NOVEMBER 2025) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) is perplexed and appalled over reports that 11 out of 14 survivors of the recent shipwreck near Langkawi are to be charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for entering Malaysia without valid documentation. SUHAKAM reiterates that these individuals must not be treated as criminals but recognised as stateless persons and victims of longstanding persecution, displacement, and exploitation.

Most of the survivors are believed to be Rohingya, a community that has been rendered stateless for decades due to persistent exclusion and denial of nationality in their place of origin. As a result, they have been deprived of basic rights and legal protection, forcing many to flee in search of safety. Their journey was not undertaken by choice, but out of sheer necessity and survival. Criminalising them dismisses the structural injustice and ongoing human rights violations that compel such dangerous journeys.

SUHAKAM stresses that treating the survivors as vulnerable persons rather than offenders is a principled and humane approach that aligns with Malaysia’s commitment to human rights. This stance would help shape public understanding, support evidence-based policymaking, and reaffirm Malaysia’s longstanding tradition of compassion towards people in need. It is vital that national discourse does not conflate forced migration with criminal intent. These individuals risked their lives at sea in search of protection and dignity; they should not face prosecution for circumstances beyond their control.

SUHAKAM further urges the authorities to intensify investigations and dismantle the human trafficking networks that prey on stateless and displaced persons. These criminal syndicates exploit desperation, often subjecting individuals to abuse, extortion, and grave danger. Effective enforcement must focus on traffickers, those who profit from exploitation, not on the survivors who are their victims. The authorities should also assess the survivors for indicators of human trafficking in line with the protection principles under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM), ensuring that potential victims receive their rights to protection rather than punishment.

SUHAKAM calls on the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), as the guardian of public conscience, to exercise prosecutorial discretion in accordance with humanitarian considerations and Malaysia’s moral and legal obligations. Discontinuing the charges against the survivors would demonstrate Malaysia’s commitment to fairness, proportionality, and respect for human dignity.

SUHAKAM therefore calls for the immediate withdrawal of the charges and urges that the survivors be provided with humanitarian assistance, protection, and due process. Malaysia must remain steadfast in combating trafficking networks while ensuring that enforcement measures do not inadvertently punish the very individuals who require protection.

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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

Date: 21 November 2025

KUALA LUMPUR (13 NOVEMBER 2025) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) expresses its deep concern over the ongoing situation involving the residents of Kampung Jalan Papan, Pandamaran, Klang, Selangor, following allegations of forced evictions and demolition of homes to make way for development projects.

According to media and civil society reports, more than 30 houses including occupied homes were demolished, despite the reported instruction from the Office of the Selangor Chief Minister that no forced evictions or demolitions of occupied homes and premises should be carried out. If there has been inadequate consultation with affected residents, SUHAKAM advises the State Government to take immediate steps to ensure that a transparent and participatory consultation process is conducted. It was reported that many residents, who have lived in the area for decades and contributed to the social and economic life of the community, were not adequately consulted or provided with viable housing alternatives, leaving them uncertain about their future and without clarity regarding relocation or compensation arrangements.

SUHAKAM wishes to remind all authorities that the right to adequate housing is a fundamental human right, recognised under Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 11(1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), to which Malaysia has expressed its commitment and further supported by principles in the Federal Constitution guaranteeing the right to life and dignity. Forced evictions, if found to be carried out without due process, consultation, or provision of alternative housing, are inconsistent with Malaysia’s international human rights obligations. Evictions must never render individuals or families homeless or vulnerable to further human rights violations.

SUHAKAM underscores that the Selangor State Government and its agencies have an obligation to ensure that any redevelopment project complies with human rights standards, including genuine consultation with affected residents prior to eviction, provision of adequate notice and transparent information about the development process, guarantees of security of tenure and fair compensation where displacement is unavoidable and availability of adequate alternative housing or relocation sites before any demolition or relocation is carried out.

While recognising the importance of urban development and housing improvement, SUHAKAM is of the view that development must not come at the expense of the rights and dignity of the people. The treatment of long-standing communities, such as Kampung Jalan Papan, reflects the nation’s commitment to inclusive and rights-based governance.

SUHAKAM therefore calls on:

i.          The Selangor State Government, the relevant state agencies, and developers to immediately halt any further evictions until a proper and transparent consultation process is undertaken with affected residents.

ii.         The State to provide immediate humanitarian assistance and temporary shelter for families affected by demolition.

iii.       Authorities to engage with residents in good faith to develop long-term resettlement or housing solutions that uphold the right to adequate housing; and

iv.        The State Government to review its housing and land development policies to prevent recurrence of forced evictions, ensuring that all future projects are carried out in line with human rights standards and due process.

SUHAKAM reiterates that progress and development must be pursued in a manner that respects human dignity, protects vulnerable communities, and upholds the rule of law. The right to adequate housing is not merely a policy choice but a legal and moral responsibility of the State.

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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

Date: 13 November 2025

KUALA LUMPUR (13 NOVEMBER 2025) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) expresses its deep concern over recent prosecutorial developments linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH), which have raised serious public alarm regarding the protection of children’s rights in Malaysia.

SUHAKAM notes that more than 400 children, including infants, were rescued from homes operated by GISBH following coordinated enforcement actions in late 2024. Allegations of physical abuse, neglect, sexual violence, and economic exploitation constitute grave violations of the children’s fundamental rights and dignity.

SUHAKAM underscores that the failure of GISBH’s leadership and owners to safeguard the children under their care, and instead exposing them to exploitation and harm, represents a serious breach of both legal and moral obligations. Public concern has been further intensified by reports that certain GISBH leaders were released or faced lesser charges, despite hundreds of police reports alleging violence and ill-treatment of vulnerable children. These developments have prompted renewed calls for transparency and accountability from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).

As Malaysia is a State Party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), SUHAKAM reminds that national laws must be fully enforced to protect children from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation, particularly offences under the Child Act 2001 and the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. Decisions relating to the prosecution of such offences must prioritise justice, protection, and deterrence, and be guided at all times by the best interests of the child.

In light of these concerns, SUHAKAM calls on the AGC to provide a clear and public explanation of its prosecutorial decisions and to disclose details of the cases related to the alleged acts of sexual abuse, violence, and exploitation, in order to uphold public confidence in the administration of justice. Where prosecutions have commenced, complainants and the affected children must be kept informed of the progress and next steps.

The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) and the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) must urgently review and strengthen the regulation and monitoring of all welfare and faith-based homes. Enforcement agencies must also ensure that investigations are conducted promptly, professionally, and with due sensitivity to child victims. Private children’s homes must be properly regulated and held accountable to care and protection standards.

With Malaysia due for review before the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child next year, this is an important opportunity for the Government to demonstrate meaningful commitment to upholding children’s rights through accountability, enforcement, and the effective prosecution of crimes against children.

To ensure systemic accountability and reform, SUHAKAM reiterates its call for the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the alleged abuses and examine the governance of welfare institutions entrusted with the care of children. SUHAKAM further urges all relevant authorities to ensure that all rescued children, including those who have been reintegrated or returned to their families, are continuously monitored and provided with psychosocial support, safe accommodation, and access to justice, in line with Malaysia’s international human rights obligations. Such measures are essential to guarantee the sustained safety, recovery, and overall well-being of every child.

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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

Date: 13 November 2025