The National Conference on Business and Human Rights 2026

The National Conference on Business and Human Rights 2026

The National Conference on Business and Human Rights 2026, held on 7 and 8 October, marks an important moment for Malaysia as we reflect on the first year of implementing the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights 2025-2030, or NAP-BHR.

The conference was organised by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department, together with our partners and stakeholders. It was officiated by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), YB Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said.

For me, this conference is not simply another conference. It is an opportunity to take stock of where we are, to be honest about the challenges that remain, and to look at what more needs to be done.

Malaysia launched its first NAP-BHR in August 2025. It was the result of years of work, consultation and engagement involving government agencies, businesses, civil society, workers, communities and other stakeholders.

The NAP-BHR sets out 135 actions across three key areas, namely governance, labour and environment. It is intended to provide a clear national framework for protecting human rights, promoting responsible business conduct and ensuring that economic development does not come at the expense of human dignity.

One year into its implementation, we are beginning to see the plan move from policy to practical action.

One important development at this Conference is the launch of the Human Rights Due Diligence Guide for Businesses in Malaysia. This is important because businesses need practical guidance on how to identify, prevent, mitigate and address human rights risks in their operations, supply chains and business relationships.

The NAP-BHR is not meant to be a document that sits on a shelf. It must be something that businesses can understand and apply.

We have also strengthened engagement between the government, businesses, workers, civil society and other stakeholders. The implementation of the NAP-BHR requires all of us to play our part. Government cannot do this alone.

The government must continue to improve laws, policies and enforcement. Businesses must take responsibility for the impact of their activities. Workers must know and be able to exercise their rights. Civil society and communities must continue to provide constructive scrutiny and feedback.

This is what responsible business conduct should mean.

I strongly believe that human rights cannot be separated from economic development. We cannot say that a business is successful simply because it makes a profit.

Profit is important. Investment is important. Economic growth is important. But none of these should come at the cost of basic human rights.

A worker should not have to give up dignity, safety or basic rights just to earn a living. A community should not have to bear serious harm simply because an economic project is considered important. Businesses must understand that respecting human rights is not an obstacle to growth. It is part of building sustainable and responsible businesses.

This morning, I also had the opportunity to host a Networking Breakfast with ambassadors and foreign diplomats.

It was a useful and open discussion. We spoke directly about Malaysia’s NAP-BHR, our journey in developing the plan and the progress we have made since its launch.

I see this engagement as important because Malaysia is part of a global economy. What happens in our businesses and supply chains can have an impact beyond our borders. At the same time, international developments are also shaping how businesses operate in Malaysia.

We want foreign governments, investors and businesses to understand Malaysia’s approach to responsible business conduct. We want them to see that Malaysia is serious about creating an environment where investment and respect for human rights can go hand in hand.

Responsible business conduct can strengthen investor confidence. It can also help Malaysian businesses remain competitive as global markets increasingly place greater importance on human rights, sustainability and responsible supply chains.

Interestingly, during the Networking Breakfast, one foreign diplomat raised the issue of forced labour.

This is an important issue, and one that no government can afford to ignore.

Forced labour is not just a labour issue. It is a human rights issue. It is also a business and governance issue.

A person should never be forced to work through threats, coercion, deception or other forms of abuse. Workers, including migrant workers who may be more vulnerable to exploitation, must be protected.

Malaysia has already taken steps through the National Action Plan on Forced Labour 2021-2025. The government is now looking at the next phase through the development of a new National Action Plan on Forced Labour for 2026-2030.

This is an important initiative.

The next plan must build on what has been done and address the challenges that remain. It should strengthen prevention, improve labour recruitment and migration practices, enhance enforcement, and ensure that victims of forced labour have access to protection, support and effective remedies.

It is also important that the issue of forced labour is addressed throughout the supply chain. Businesses must know who is working for them, how workers are recruited and under what conditions they work.

This is where the NAP-BHR and the National Action Plan on Forced Labour complement each other.

Both are ultimately about ensuring that economic activity does not result in the exploitation of people.

The first year of the NAP-BHR has shown us that we have made progress, but it has also reminded us that there is much more to do.

The real test will not be how many meetings we hold or how many documents we produce. The real test is whether workers are safer, whether communities are better protected, whether businesses are more responsible and whether people whose rights are affected have meaningful access to remedy.

As we move into the next phase of the NAP-BHR, we must continue working together.

Our goal is clear. Malaysia must continue to grow and attract investment, but we must do so responsibly.

Economic progress and human rights should not be seen as competing priorities.

They must move together. That is the Malaysia we want to build.