Policy Division 1. BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS a) National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights for Malaysia On 16 June 2011, the United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously endorsed the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP), providing a framework for corporations to strengthen their approach in demonstrating respect for human rights. Business integration of the guiding principles provides a roadmap for consistency and accountability in addressing issues throughout business functions and across the supply chain. Upholding international human rights standards has traditionally been the responsibility of governments which aim at regulating relations between the State, individuals and groups. However, the increased role of corporate actors has given rise to the issue relating to the impact of business on the enjoyment of human rights. So far, many countries have taken the steps to ensure the implementation of UNGP by introducing a National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights (BHR). Similarly, in Malaysia, there is an increasing public expectation for private actors including business enterprises to ensure that their conduct respects human rights. Following the launching of the Strategic Framework on a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights in 2015 by YB Senator Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) has assisted the office of YB Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan in preparing a Cabinet Paper to get the government’s approval to develop a NAP on Business and Human Rights for Malaysia. Ultimately, during the 6th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, YB Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan announced that Malaysia would develop a NAP on BHR. Malaysia is one of the countries in Southeast Asia, apart from Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, that has demonstrated its commitments to develop such a NAP. The development of the NAP on BHR would demonstrate Malaysia’s leadership in advancing sustainable socio-economic development and protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms in the region. 34 S UH A KA M A N N UA L R E P O R T 2 0 1 7