Mary Ann Manja Bayang, who is an aide to the office, said it was timely for the special rapporteur to come to Malaysia.

“This can open doors to discuss issues affecting indigenous peoples and keep them up-to-date about UN’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Undrip).

“All these can be part of the reforms the government wants to do,” she said when met on the sidelines of the 2019 Asia Preparatory Meeting on UN Mechanisms and Procedures Relating to Indigenous Peoples here on Monday.

She said her office was hoping the government would extend an official invitation this year.

Manja said the change in the federal government last year had changed plans for the UN special rapporteur’s visit.

The special rapporteur last came to Malaysia in 2017 but her visit to Sabah then was unofficial.

Meanwhile, Senator Adrian Lasimbang, who met Manja, said the official visit was delayed by the government’s decision to move the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa) from the rural development ministry to the Prime Minister’s Department (national unity and social wellbeing).

Lasimbang, who is also an indigenous peoples’ rights advocate, urged the Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia (JOAS) to see the minister in charge of national unity and social wellbeing, P Waytha Moorthy, about the visit

“If he gives the green light, then the foreign ministry can extend the invitation,” he told FMT.

The UN special rapporteur usually conducts fact-finding missions and reports on the human rights situation in specific countries, addressing cases of alleged violations of the rights of indigenous peoples.

She also promotes good practices to implement international standards concerning the rights of indigenous peoples and protection of their rights.