Speaking at the Human Rights Day Forum 2021: Access to Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment, Suhakam chairman Othman Hashim said this omission needs to change.

“Although it is implicit in Article 5, it is time for Malaysia to enshrine the right to a clean and sustainable environment in its constitution,” he said.

UN resident coordinator for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam Karima El Korri shared Othman’s sentiment for change.

“Malaysia will need to review, reform and upgrade certain legislations and standards at the national level to translate its vision for an inclusive and sustainable future,” she said.

Karima said Malaysia has pledged to advance and protect human rights, prioritising an in-depth review of several laws in response to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations and in compliance with the conventions Malaysia is party to.

As of next month, she said, Malaysia will reclaim its membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term of 2022 to 2024.

In accordance with that, foreign affairs minister Saifuddin Abdullah has pledged a number of commitments to conserve planetary health, such as achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and reducing white carbon intensity by 45%.