Due to the pandemic and the government’s response and recovery measures, many scheduled activities were either postponed or cancelled. Nevertheless, SUHAKAM remained steadfast in carrying out our statutory mandate and functions by adapting to the “new normal” and employing alternative working methods and approaches. SUHAKAM utilised technology to ensure the continuity of our activities where possible. We conducted numerous online consultations with stakeholders and webinars on various human rights issues throughout the year since the government implemented movement control orders in March 2020. During the talks, SUHAKAM discussed matters relating to the indigenous peoples, refugees and asylum seekers, urban poor, migrant and undocumented workers, stateless persons, women and children. From the consultations, it was evident that the pandemic impacted vulnerable groups such as women and children, Indigenous Peoples, migrant and undocumented workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons. It is essential to note that the COVID-19 virus does not discriminate – it affects everyone, citizens and non-citizens. Based on our consultations, SUHAKAM developed important recommendations on the From the challenges facing the aforementioned consultations, it vulnerable groups and forwarded them to was evident that the government for their consideration. In the pandemic general, the government noted SUHAKAM’s recommendations and said the relevant impacted agencies would look into them. vulnerable groups Despite the movement control orders, as a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), SUHAKAM continued to uphold and promote human rights in Malaysia. That included monitoring visits where possible, and highlighting pressing human rights issues through online press conferences, media interviews and issuance of press statements. SUHAKAM conducted online press conferences to launch our 2019 Annual Report and share findings on pressing human rights matters such as the impact of COVID-19 on places of detention. However, such as women and children, Indigenous Peoples, migrant and undocumented workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons. ANNUAL REPORT 2020 ix