CHAIRMAN’S REVIEW (APF); Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF); ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) for the promotion and protection of human rights. We collaborated with AICHR during its Regional Forum on Human Rights and the Media in May, and the AICHR Youth Debate in September. In terms of dealing with the legacy of the past, there is a considerable amount of work outstanding for SUHAKAM. Top on our agenda is the implementation of our NI recommendations concerning the land rights of indigenous peoples. SUHAKAM will also continue to advocate for the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee on Human Rights that will have a primary objective to examine matters relating to human rights within the country. For the future, there are many challenges. In 2018, Malaysia’s human rights record will be assessed by its peers through the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. This process provides an opportunity for all UN Member States to announce what actions they have taken to advance the state of affairs of human rights in their countries. As I have mentioned, SUHAKAM requires the continued collaboration and partnership of the Executive, Parliament, the Judiciary, local governments, the public authorities, civil society sector and all other stakeholders to shape a country that respects, protects and fulfils the human rights of its people. While there was progress with regard to SUHAKAM’s engagement with some key stakeholders, not all of the meetings that were held in the name of engagement yielded desired results. Contentious human rights issues that cannot be addressed by SUHAKAM alone without the political will and full support of policy makers and members of legislature at both the federal and state levels remain. As a national body created through an Act of Parliament, it is the hope of SUHAKAM that the Government and Parliament would see SUHAKAM as their ally in their endeavours to promote and uphold human rights standards in the country. Notwithstanding these challenges, SUHAKAM is committed to bring more progress on human rights in the coming year and looks forward to broadening its relationship with state and non-state actors, individuals and communities towards promoting greater respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Our final message is that human rights must be entrenched in the heart of the executive, judiciary and legislature, reflected in our fundamentals and honoured in practice. Respect for human rights and the rule of law must be the bedrock for a thriving and working democracy. This requires respect for pluralism of ideas, vibrant civil societies, independent Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and media, a forceful private sector, as well as effective checks and balances to power. In this regard, SUHAKAM will continue to with its mandate to advice, monitor and work alongside the Government to act in a human rights compliant manner. 12 SUHAKAM ANNUAL REPORT 2016 suhakam 2new.indd 12 3/23/17 5:54 PM