Toolkit for Parliamentarians: Promoting an Inclusive Malaysian Society through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Process

Toolkit for Parliamentarians: Promoting an Inclusive Malaysian Society through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Process

Malaysia recently underwent Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in January 2024, APHR and IPPFoRB developed a “Toolkit for Parliamentarians to Promote an Inclusive Malaysian Society Through the UPR Process.” This toolkit aims to empower parliamentarians with knowledge and tools to utilize the mechanism effectively, and mobilize them in using their unique role, inside and outside of parliament, to address key findings highlighted in the fact finding mission report to promote peace and harmony in Malaysia. Parliamentarians’ role in the UPR is of vital importance  especially in following up on the recommendations for Malaysia and ensuring that the government is able to implement them.

DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT IN ENGLISH HERE

DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT IN BAHASA MALAYSIA HERE

FACT-FINDING MISSION: Protecting Peace and Harmony in Multicultural Malaysia Following the 2022-2023 Election

FACT-FINDING MISSION: Protecting Peace and Harmony in Multicultural Malaysia Following the 2022-2023 Election

Report, March 2024

In October 2023, the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), with support from the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB), undertook a fact-finding mission to Malaysia to assess the current state of religious harmony and social cohesion in the country, particularly during and after the general election in 2022 and state elections in 2023.

The delegation consisted of three parliamentarians from Southeast Asia, namely Hon. Maria Terezinha da Silva Viegas (MP, Timor Leste), Hon. Mohamed Irshad (former MP, Singapore), and Hon. Amilbahar Mawallil (MP, Bangsamoro, the Philippines). Across three days, the delegation met with civil society organizations (CSOs), faith leaders, Parliamentarians, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Communication and Digital, the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission, the Election Commission, and the National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia.

While seeking to deepen its understanding of emerging developments and challenges in Malaysia’s FoRB landscape, the fact-finding mission also constituted a crucial platform for sharing and learning of country experiences to improve regional realization of this fundamental freedom.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT HERE.

A Toolkit on Advancing Human Rights through the Malaysian Legislative Process

A Toolkit on Advancing Human Rights through the Malaysian Legislative Process

Leaders across Southeast Asia are increasingly adopting laws that restrict fundamental freedoms. In this context, parliamentarians, through their legislative mandate, become an important shield against further erosion of human rights. Members of Parliament (MPs) can repeal or amend restrictive bills as they reach parliament.

To be able to engage them effectively, APHR and civil society organizations in Southeast Asia must be able to understand and know the parliamentary legislative process. However, the legislative system can seem complex to those unfamiliar with it and is perceived as overwhelming or intimidating to many who try to navigate it in almost absolute darkness.

To respond to this gap, APHR carried out research in a total of five countries in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, to better understand and unpack the legislative processes in each country. The research covered the legislative process, including the different stages a bill can go through, how to write an amendment, who can initiate a bill, what is the usual practice in the country, as well as effective entry points for law reform advocacy.

The research was completed in early 2023 and it was based on desk research, including a review of Constitutions, parliamentary rules and procedures, Speaker rulings, reports, and other relevant sources. Interviews with MPs, MPs staff, and civil society were also carried out to ensure the research reflected the actual practices or conventions on the ground.

The research is then developed into a pedagogical and accessible report to explain the different steps in the legislative procedures and where MPs can intervene to either amend or repeal a law and to be made available to civil society partners to engage more effectively with the parliamentary process.

DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT HERE

Malaysia’s diversity should be celebrated, not used as a political weapon, Southeast Asian MPs say

Malaysia’s diversity should be celebrated, not used as a political weapon, Southeast Asian MPs say

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia must foster the unity of its rich multicultural society and turn away from using divisive rhetoric for political gain, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights said today at a press conference following a fact-finding mission on peace and harmony after the country’s recent elections.

During the fact-finding mission from 7 to 10 October, APHR’s delegation, consisting of current and former members of parliament from the Philippines, Singapore, and Timor-Leste, met with the Minister of Communications and Digital, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), the Election Commission (SPR), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), members of the Malaysian parliament as well as with representatives of civil society, the media, religious leaders, and interfaith groups.

We are pleased to see that, despite years of political instability, Malaysians have been able to express their political choices through the ballot box in November 2022 and August 2023, resulting in a peaceful transition of power at both the federal and state levels,” said APHR member and former Singapore member of parliament Mohamed Irshad. 

We also appreciate the Unity Government’s Malaysia Madani policy framework, particularly its focus on good governance and social harmony. However, several observers have highlighted certain worrying trends regarding religious and racial polarization that must be addressed before they reach a breaking point,” said Irshad. 

During the elections, discriminatory and hateful campaign rhetoric flooded various social media platforms, with TikTok even saying that it was on “high-alert.” These kinds of narratives have caused division in Malaysian society and results in the further marginalization of vulnerable and minority groups. Freedom House has also rated Malaysia’s freedom of religion with its lowest score of one out of four.

We are deeply concerned by the proliferation of hate speech, particularly in online spaces. The lack of trust between different communities that is the basis of some of these narratives is something that needs to be addressed through open and frank discussions in order to get to the root cause of the problems. If not, these issues will only recur in the future,” said Irshad.

APHR also notes with concern that the spread of divisive narratives is further exacerbated by the reach of social media platforms. The lack of suitable safeguards and appropriate oversight mechanism allows for the creation of echo-chambers and the spread of disinformation, divisiveness, and hate. In Malaysia, and globally, these phenomena are undermining democracy, public institutions, social cohesion, and stability.

We believe that governments throughout the region, including Malaysia, must be firm in holding social media companies to act more responsibly and take ownership for their role in facilitating the spread of hate and division,” said Irshad.  

But we must also recognize that politicians and community leaders play a pivotal role in promoting responsible speech and curtailing inflammatory remarks, particularly during elections. We urge our fellow parliamentarians to resist exploiting religious and racial divides for political gains,” continued Irshad.

To address these issues, APHR has compiled several preliminary recommendations, including establishing a preventative strategy to preempt the spread of hate speech during election periods. Collaborative efforts among institutions like the Election Commission (SPR), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) are vital in this regard.

Parliamentarians and government officials should speak out firmly and promptly against intolerance, discriminatory stereotyping, and instances of hate speech,” said APHR member and Timor-Leste member of parliament Maria Terezinha da Silva Viegas. “We also reiterate our call for the Malaysian parliament to urgently review laws that have been used to repress freedom of expression – such as the Communication and Multimedia Act – as they also hinder candid religious discussion.”

APHR also recommends a national mechanism for a meaningful, genuine, open, and honest interfaith dialogue, as a way to bridge gaps and promote mutual respect among different religious communities.

As with all peoples, there is more that unites Malaysians than divides them. The challenges that Malaysia – and the rest of Southeast Asia – faces in the next five to ten years, such as climate change, food security, technological advances, are ones that must be faced together, regardless of race and religion,” said Maria.

APHR launches toolkit, urges fellow legislators in Malaysia to counter hate speech towards migrants

APHR launches toolkit, urges fellow legislators in Malaysia to counter hate speech towards migrants

KUALA LUMPUR – ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), in partnership with the office of the Speaker of Malaysia’s House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat), has launched the Toolkit for Parliamentarians to Promote Counter Narrative to Hate Speech Towards Migrants and Refugees in Malaysia.

The launch, which was held in the Malaysian parliament, was attended by members of parliament (MPs), the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Malaysia, ambassadors and representatives of foreign embassies in Malaysia, members of civil society, as well as the media.

I urge all MPs present here today to utilize this toolkit as a powerful tool in raising awareness about the issue of hate against migrants and refugees. By doing so, we can collectively work towards creating a more inclusive and human rights-respecting society,” said Malaysian House Speaker Dato’ Johari bin Abdul.

Due to its diversity, strategic location, relatively stronger economy, and workforce needs, Malaysia is one of the largest migrant-receiving countries in Southeast Asia. However, migration remains a sensitive topic in the country, with a vast majority of Malaysians having negative perceptions of migrants and refugees.

Mainstream political leaders, such as MPs, play an important role in the construction of narratives on migration. Political narratives that emphasize the positive role of migrants and refugees in society and economies have proven to be successful in limiting the rise and influence of negative migration narratives. This is why APHR has created this toolkit, which aims to help parliamentarians become agents of social progress by using their voice to spread positive counter-narratives to hate speech towards migrants in Malaysia.

We hope that this toolkit can empower MPs to take action against hate speech towards migrants and refugees,  promote positive narratives and end harmful perceptions, stereotypes, and disinformation about these communities and celebrate their contributions to economic growth, social development, cultural enrichment, so we can build a Malaysia that thrives in diversity,” said APHR member and Malaysian MP Wong Chen.  

The toolkit includes an explanation of what constitutes hate speech and the importance of countering such speech, as well as possible strategies that MPs can use to promote positive narratives about migrants and refugees both in parliament and in their respective constituencies.

The role of parliamentarians in building inclusive and fair societies cannot be overemphasized. As political leaders elected by their constituencies, they have a paramount responsibility and undeniable power to influence public policies and shape the discourse on human rights, tolerance, solidarity, and inclusiveness,” said UN Resident Coordinator for Malaysia Karima El Korri.

Click here to download the toolkit in English.

Click here to download the toolkit in Bahasa Malaysia.