Apart from the above, at Malaysia’s Third Universal Periodic Review during the 31st Session of the UPR Working Group on 8 November 2018, Finland requested updates on the government’s implementation of SUHAKAM’s NI recommendations. The government stated that it had initiated constructive dialogue with representatives of indigenous communities over the issue of land rights and engaged with all states in Peninsular Malaysia that were involved. Recommendations SUHAKAM recommends the following steps to recognise the rights of the Indigenous Peoples of Malaysia: i. Implement the recommendations made in the NI without any delay. The Minister in Prime Minister’s Department responsible for National Unity and Social Wellbeing who has been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the rights of Orang Asli must work with all state governments to monitor the implementation. The Minister should also engage his counterparts in Sabah and Sarawak in a similar manner. ii. All state governments must recognise the indigenous peoples right to native customary land and gazette lands for the community. Engage the indigenous community for alternative forest-based revenue generating activities like ecotourism. iii. Apply the principle of free, prior and informed consent before making any development programmes for the indigenous community. iv. Adopt the interim measures proposed by the Forestry Department in Kelantan in recognising the indigenous peoples land rights. v. The Sabah Land Ordinance (CAP 68) should be reviewed and amended to eliminate ambiguity and confusion. A workshop could be organised to bring together experts, representatives of complainants, and other interested parties to identify the changes needed. vi. Enhance school facilities and training for teachers in Orang Asli schools. vii. The capability and capacity of officers and staff involved in land and forest administration and management should be upgraded on a regular and continuous basis to make them more human rights compliant. viii. Land and forest administration and management processes should be made more transparent. Close consultations with the affected community should be carried out as and when a project is planned and implemented such as the construction of dams, gazetting of forest reserves, water catchments, wildlife conservations, Sabah Parks, settlement schemes, commercial and agricultural project and other 98 SUHAKAM ANNUAL REPORT 2018