The Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), Felda Global Ventures Holdings
Berhad (FGV) and the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA)
have together initiated the first step towards minimising/reducing business
impact on human rights. Such an initiative done through a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU), is an important milestone in the efforts of FGV and
FELDA to revisit their operations from a human rights perspective. Under
the MoU, the collaboration of the parties involved focuses on a number
of substantive areas, which may include, but not limited to:
i)
To develop an action plan on the Support for Transformation
Initiative in which the Commission agrees to provide strategic
advice on the proposed action plan developed by FGV which is
paramount in ensuring compliance and respect towards human
rights principles.
ii)
To organise Stakeholders’ Consultation
The parties agree to initiate consultations with civil society organisations,
specifically those working on issues related to workers in order to include
their input into the action plan on the Support for Transformation
Initiative.
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b) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving the Commission, FELDA and
FGV
C H A P T E R
The Commission believes that the proposed NAP on BHR should be
supported by an effective enforcement of existing laws that regulate the
actions of business enterprises. As such, the Commission reiterates that
while the government cannot be held responsible for any human rights
abuses perpetrated by business enterprises, the government may have
breached its human rights obligations if the abuses were the result of the
government’s failure to take appropriate steps to prevent, investigate,
punish and redress private actors’ abuses. The Commission is also of the
view that in order to successfully develop the NAP on BHR, the government
would need the support of stakeholders especially business corporations.
The Commission fully supports the commitment shown by the government
and would render its assistance to develop the NAP on BHR whenever
applicable.