1.3.
Reporting to Treaty Bodies
Malaysia submitted its combined second to fifth periodic reports to the CRC
Committee in August 2021 and sixth periodic report to the CEDAW Committee
in April 2022.
Recommendation:
● Submit the overdue periodic reports to the CRPD Committee without
further delay.
1.4.
Engagement with Special Procedures Mandate Holders
Since the last UPR, Malaysia in February 2019, had issued a standing invitation
to all Special Procedures Mandate Holders. Since then, there has only been
three country visits.
Recommendations:
● Implement the recommendations of the Special Procedures who have
visited Malaysia.
● Accept annually, at least two country visit requests by Special
Procedures.
2.
Civil and Political Rights
2.1.
Freedom of Expression and Right to Information
The Government has yet to repeal, amend or reform the Printing Presses and
Publications Act 1984 [Act 301] and Sedition Act 1948 [Act 15]; and is planning
to amend the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 [Act 588].
SUHAKAM’s stance is to ensure citizen’s rights to freedom of expression and
right to information is as governed by Article 10 of the Federal Constitution
(FC).
Recommendations:
● Ensure the amendment of Act 588 does not restrict freedom of
expression and the media.
● Repeal, amend or reform Act 301 and Act 15.
2.2.
Freedom of Assembly
In 2019, the Parliament amended the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 [Act 736]
which reduced the mandatory police notification period from 10 days to 7 days
prior to the planned event and decriminalized street protest. However, the Act
still imposes criminal penalties for violation, lacks provisions to allow
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