Tuesday, 12 August 2025
It’s been several years in the making, but the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights has finally been launched!
The National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (2025 – 2030) (“NAPBHR”) was launched at the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) in Kuala Lumpur on 12 August 2025. The ceremony was officiated by YB Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), in the presence of Ed Vrkic (Resident Representative of UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam) and Dato’ Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus (Chairman of SUHAKAM).
YB Dato’ Sri Azalina remarked that the NAPBHR signifies a national commitment to ensure that social justice is viewed concurrently with economic development to protect and respect human rights for everyone. She also stated that this is especially timely, considering Malaysia’s current ASEAN Chairmanship.
Jia Yaw was invited to speak at the dialogue session at the launch event to unpack the NAPBHR and discuss its effects on businesses and civil society. The session was moderated by Belinda Hlatshwayo (Business and Human Rights Specialist, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub), and featured Altaf Deviyati (Secretary, SUHAKAM) and Dr. Sharbanom Abu Bakar (Independent Non-Executive Director, AFFIN Islamic Bank).
The session discussed the global shift towards mandatory human rights due diligence and how these international compliance standards are now cascading through extensive value chains to create new obligations for Malaysian businesses. The speakers also highlighted the importance of community engagement and stakeholder participation as essential mechanisms to uphold human rights within the spheres of business activities.
The launch of the NAPBHR marks the regulatory era when all businesses in Malaysia, regardless of size or sector, are officially expected to respect human rights. This is a profound change in the narrative of the role of business. It in turn amounts to a shift in what it means for a business to be competitive.
Download the NAPBHR from the Legal Affairs Division website here.