Türk said discussions with the government during his working visit in Malaysia encompassed both business and human rights issues.

“Business and human rights issues were part of our discussions because we know that when it comes to business practices, if they are not human rights-oriented, it will harm (foreign investments) in the future,” he told a press conference here today.

Türk’s remarks came in response to a query about whether the exploitation of migrant workers would undermine Malaysia’s efforts to attract foreign investments.

The UN has previously voiced concerns about the high number of job scams and human trafficking incidents concerning migrant workers being brought to Malaysia under false pretences by recruitment agencies.

Recent attention has also been drawn to the plight of Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia, who arrived with hopes of employment through the official labour migration process but found themselves in distressing circumstances.

Türk said, however, he observed greater openness compared to 20 years ago when discussing migration-related matters.

“I think the fact that Malaysia is aware there are issues, and that it wants to tackle them, is good,” he said.

Earlier, Türk called on the government to restore access to detention facilities for national monitoring bodies and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

“I heard worrying accounts from several interlocutors of harsh conditions and ill-treatment in detention facilities – reports which need to be investigated,” he said.

Asked whether he had raised the concerns about mistreatment in detention facilities with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Türk responded in the negative.