Maylaysia
Malaysia has its origins in the Malay kingdoms present in the area which, from the 18th century, became subject to the British Empire. The first British territories were known as the Straits Settlements, whose establishment was followed by the Malay kingdoms becoming British protectorates. The territories on Peninsular Malaysia were first unified as the Malayan Union in 1946. Malaya was restructured as the Federation of Malaya in 1948, and achieved independence on 31 August 1957. Malaya united with North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore on 16 September 1963, with si being added to give the new country the name Malaysia. Less than two years later in 1965, Singapore was expelled from the federation.
The country is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, which plays a large role in politics. The constitution declares Islam the state religion while protecting freedom of religion. The government system is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system and the legal system is based on common law. The head of state is the king, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He is an elected monarchchosen from the hereditary rulers of the nine Malay states every five years. The head of government is the prime minister.
Since its independence, Malaysia has had one of the best economic records in Asia, with its GDP growing at an average of 6.5% per annum for almost 50 years. The economy has traditionally been fuelled by its natural resources, but is expanding in the sectors of science, tourism, commerce and medical tourism. Today, Malaysia has a newly industrialised market economy, ranked third largest in Southeast Asia and 29th largest in the world.
The country is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, which plays a large role in politics. The constitution declares Islam the state religion while protecting freedom of religion. The government system is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system and the legal system is based on common law. The head of state is the king, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He is an elected monarchchosen from the hereditary rulers of the nine Malay states every five years. The head of government is the prime minister.
Since its independence, Malaysia has had one of the best economic records in Asia, with its GDP growing at an average of 6.5% per annum for almost 50 years. The economy has traditionally been fuelled by its natural resources, but is expanding in the sectors of science, tourism, commerce and medical tourism. Today, Malaysia has a newly industrialised market economy, ranked third largest in Southeast Asia and 29th largest in the world.
UN hears of ‘atrocities’ in Sabah & Sarawak
KUALA LUMPUR: The United Nations today heard of the ‘forced displacement” and “loss of livelihood” faced by the indigenous communities in Sabah and Sarawak as a result of the various development projects, including the construction of many hydroelectric dams
Tabling their report on issues at the 24th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Suaram executive director Nalini Elumalai said the situation in Sabah and Sarawak was particularly worrying.
“The indigenous peoples of Malaysia facing forced displacement and loss of livelihood due to large extractive industries.
‘We are particularly concerned by the situation on the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak”, she said.
Earlier in a separate written statement also tabled before the UN, she urged the Malaysian government “to end the violence and harassment against indigenous peoples defending their native customary land, and to ratify ILO Convention 169″.
Suaram, which was speaking on behalf of human rights defenders in Malaysia, also told the hearing that it recognised “the challenges facing the indigenous communities” even as Malaysia pursued its “development and modernity” agenda.
“Indigenous peoples should be afforded with the choice of joining mainstream society,” the statement said.
Malaysia is signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), but has still not ratified ILO Convention 169.
The ILO Convention is a legally binding international instrument that deals specifically with the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples.
Countries that have ratified the convention are subject to supervision of how the requirements are implemented.
Nalini while commending the Malaysian government for being a signatory to the convention, called on the authorities to enshrine the “the rights of indigenous peoples to free, prior and informed consent, as declared under UNDRIP”.
Allow special rapporteur in
Meanwhile Malaysia’s Human Rights Commission, Suhakam, in a video message told the UN hearing that the adoption of a human rights based approach to development are key elements in ensuring that indigenous peoples’ rights are protected.
Echoing Suaram’s stance, Suhakam said it “strongly believes the recognition of indigenous customary right to land” must also be protected.
Suaram also called for the Malaysian authorities to allow Special UN Rapporteur on Indigenous Rights, James Anaya to conduct a mission to Malaysia as soon as possible.
Anaya had visited Kuala Lumpur earlier this year to meet with representatives of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), which included a contingent of Malaysian indigenous peoples.
He was here to conduct research for a thematic report on extractive industries.
Suaram, Aliran and other Malaysian NGOs are in Geneva to lobby the international community on Malaysian indigenous issues in the run up to Malaysia’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in October.
The UPR assesses the human rights records of all the UN’s 193 member states.
The UPR provides an opportunity for all member states to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries.
In real terms, the periodic review is designed to prompt, support and expand the promotion and protection of human rights on the ground.
KUALA LUMPUR: The United Nations today heard of the ‘forced displacement” and “loss of livelihood” faced by the indigenous communities in Sabah and Sarawak as a result of the various development projects, including the construction of many hydroelectric dams
Tabling their report on issues at the 24th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Suaram executive director Nalini Elumalai said the situation in Sabah and Sarawak was particularly worrying.
“The indigenous peoples of Malaysia facing forced displacement and loss of livelihood due to large extractive industries.
‘We are particularly concerned by the situation on the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak”, she said.
Earlier in a separate written statement also tabled before the UN, she urged the Malaysian government “to end the violence and harassment against indigenous peoples defending their native customary land, and to ratify ILO Convention 169″.
Suaram, which was speaking on behalf of human rights defenders in Malaysia, also told the hearing that it recognised “the challenges facing the indigenous communities” even as Malaysia pursued its “development and modernity” agenda.
“Indigenous peoples should be afforded with the choice of joining mainstream society,” the statement said.
Malaysia is signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), but has still not ratified ILO Convention 169.
The ILO Convention is a legally binding international instrument that deals specifically with the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples.
Countries that have ratified the convention are subject to supervision of how the requirements are implemented.
Nalini while commending the Malaysian government for being a signatory to the convention, called on the authorities to enshrine the “the rights of indigenous peoples to free, prior and informed consent, as declared under UNDRIP”.
Allow special rapporteur in
Meanwhile Malaysia’s Human Rights Commission, Suhakam, in a video message told the UN hearing that the adoption of a human rights based approach to development are key elements in ensuring that indigenous peoples’ rights are protected.
Echoing Suaram’s stance, Suhakam said it “strongly believes the recognition of indigenous customary right to land” must also be protected.
Suaram also called for the Malaysian authorities to allow Special UN Rapporteur on Indigenous Rights, James Anaya to conduct a mission to Malaysia as soon as possible.
Anaya had visited Kuala Lumpur earlier this year to meet with representatives of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), which included a contingent of Malaysian indigenous peoples.
He was here to conduct research for a thematic report on extractive industries.
Suaram, Aliran and other Malaysian NGOs are in Geneva to lobby the international community on Malaysian indigenous issues in the run up to Malaysia’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in October.
The UPR assesses the human rights records of all the UN’s 193 member states.
The UPR provides an opportunity for all member states to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries.
In real terms, the periodic review is designed to prompt, support and expand the promotion and protection of human rights on the ground.