v.
vi.
Ensure the National Legal Aid Foundation lawyers are notified of all criminal offenders
awaiting court hearing.
Reform investigation methods and do away with coercive and violent interrogation
methods.
Poverty Eradication and Raising Standard of Living
23.
Malaysia has done relatively well in combating poverty and in improving the standard
of living of its citizens. Nonetheless, while the national poverty rate is 0.4 percent2,
pockets of poverty still exist and are relatively high among indigenous peoples.
24.
A report by UNICEF on urban child poverty in Kuala Lumpur published in February 2018
revealed that 99.7 percent of children in low-cost flats in Kuala Lumpur live in relative
poverty and 7 percent live in absolute poverty.3
25.
The Minimum Wages Order 2016 came into effect in July 2016 and a new minimum
wage rate is expected in 2018. In 2016, Malaysia also ratified the ILO Minimum Wage
Fixing Convention (No. 131).
26.
i.
ii.
Recommendations:
Ensure strict enforcement of the minimum wage order on all employers.
Revise the minimum wage regularly towards achieving an adequate standard of living
for all.
Right to Education
27.
While commendable efforts have been made to improve the education system, access
to formal education by certain vulnerable groups including migrant, refugee and
stateless children remains an issue of concern.
28.
i.
Recommendation:
Provide access to formal education for all children regardless of citizenship or
immigration status including migrant, refugee and stateless children.
Right to Health
29.
Under the 11th Malaysia Plan 2016-2020, the government has adopted strategies
towards achieving universal access to quality healthcare for its citizens.
30.
SUHAKAM is concerned about the government’s decision to increase the medical fees
for non-citizens in 2016 as it will impact negatively access to healthcare for migrants,
refugees and stateless persons who may not afford the increased fees.
31.
i.
Recommendation:
Reduce the medical fees for non-citizens including refugees, migrant workers and
stateless persons to ensure they can afford public healthcare services.
4