MALAYSIA will review its efforts to uphold human rights once every six months, taking into account Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations.

Foreign Ministry secretary-general Ramlan Ibrahim said Putrajaya will keep close tabs on the recommendations by the United Nations.

“Malaysia will now conduct half-yearly reviews to keep track of the progress of the implementation of the UPR recommendations.

“We believe this move will provide us with more opportunities to take stock of our efforts, and identify responses to the challenges that may arise,” he said when presenting his opening statement at the UPR of Malaysia before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

The last UPR was carried out in 2013, and its recommendations had been taken lightly by the then Barisan Nasional government.

Ramlan said Putrajaya will hold annual meetings with stakeholders from civil society organisations.

“We already have a calendar for annual meetings to be held between the main stakeholders, from both the government and civil groups, to monitor the progress of the implementation of the accepted recommendations from this cycle.”

The first meeting will be held upon the Malaysian delegation’s return from Geneva, he said.

Malaysia is also looking to improve the living conditions of Sabah and Sarawak natives, with the government allocating RM350 million for the purpose.

“The federal government has allocated RM350 million for measures specific to both states, including native courts, capacity-building and native customary rights land survey programmes,” said Ramlan. – November 8, 2018.