KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — The government is committed to developing a comprehensive National Business and Human Rights Action Plan (NBHRAP) 2025-2030 to boost economic growth while championing the welfare of the people.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the action plan which was set for completion by 2024, aims to create an environment that attracts responsible investments and uplifts the lives of the people.

“For Malaysia, I think we cannot avoid business and human rights...the world is getting smaller and (other) countries are observing our values when it comes to human rights, especially when I mentioned the domain of foreign workers and forced labour.

“As we navigate this landscape, it is our collective duty to strive for inclusive, ethical and responsible business practices that not only boost economic growth but also prioritise the welfare of Malaysians and citizens of the world who work in Malaysia.”

Azalina said this in her opening remarks at the Unveiling Insights and Actions: Malaysia’s Baseline Assessment on Business and Human Rights Conference held in collaboration with the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department (BHEUU), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia here, today.

Meanwhile, Azalina said the conference was a joint effort to showcase the preliminary findings of the national baseline assessment which is an important key in developing an action plan for human rights and business.

She said she will also be chairing a steering committee with stakeholders this December to finalise the report by year-end and delve into the details of the assessment before it is brought to the Cabinet for further discussion among agencies, which is expected by next year.

Also present at the conference were UNDP Resident Representative for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Niloy Banerjee and Suhakam vice-chairman Datuk Mariati Robert. — Bernama