The image shows the “Make the Right Real in Malaysia” logo of The OKU Rights Matter website and a large group of Malaysians with and without visible disabilities marching together for the rights of persons with disabilities who live with rare disease.

Harmonization of Domestic Legislation with the CRPD

Even trees need a friend. We all need friends. It all happens automatically. We want to use a lot pressure while using no pressure at all.

Harmonization of Domestic Legislation with the CRPD

Malaysia signed (2008) and ratified (2010) the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). A closer look at Malaysia’s domestic legislation, including the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act 2008, reveals a need for its harmonization with the principles and provisions of the CRPD.

Harmonization of domestic legislation with the CRPD is an essential step towards upholding the rights of persons with disabilities in all aspects of living, and protecting persons with disabilities from all forms of discrimination, harassment and marginalisation.

Harmonization of domestic legislation with the CRPD cannot be confined only to the national disability law. Other laws that need to be harmonized with the CRPD include but are not limited to the infrastructure, systems and services pertaining to the following:

  • Education
  • Health
  • Human resources development
  • Employment
  • Housing and local government
  • Transport
  • Assistive technologies
  • Digital accessibility, internet access, communication and multimedia
  • Banking, insurance and other financial services
  • Built environment, including the street environment, buildings and public spaces and amenities
  • Justice
  • Domestic trade and consumer affairs
  • Enterprise development, including small, medium and social enterprises
  • Tourism and recreation
  • Public procurement
  • Rural development

Please refer to this page for links to the full document on CRPD, Optional Protocol and General comments.

Case Studies

Harmonization of national laws with the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities overview of trends in Asia and the Pacific (regional overview report) by UN ESCAP

Comparison Between Selected Countries

A Comparison of Disability Laws of Selected Countries in Asia (India, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Indonesia) compiled by Amar-Singh HSS and San Yuen Wah, updated 12 October 2023

Implementation and Monitoring of CRPD

Training Package on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by OHCHR

Universal Human Rights Index (UHRI) database on human rights observations and recommendations made by the international human rights protection system.

  • Covers Treaty Bodies, Universal Periodic Review and Special Procedures
  • Use search filters for specific results, e.g., country: Malaysia, concerned persons/groups: persons with disabilities.

Malaysia: Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 (Akta Orang Kurang Upaya 2008)

Proposed Amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 by Mary Chen, Sangeet Kaur Deo, Amar-Singh HSS, Anit Kaur Randhawa, Meera Samanther, San Yuen Wah, Sharifah Tahir, Wong Yoon Loong, updated 13 July 2023

Reforming the Laws in Malaysia to Cater Better for Persons with Disabilities by Santhi Latha (3 May 2023) and based on work by Harapan OKU Law Reform Group, 3 May 2023

Proposed Amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 (One-page summary) by Mary Chen, Sangeet Kaur Deo, Amar-Singh HSS, Anit Kaur Randhawa, Meera Samanther, San Yuen Wah, Sharifah Tahir, Wong Yoon Loong, 8 April 2023

Harmonization of Domestic Legislation with the CRPD (CRPD Art. 33) in Manifesto Rakyat 2021

Holistic Review of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008: Essential to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the Malaysian Bar, 19 Sep 2019 

Establish new act and commission for persons with disabilities by Harapan OKU, 29 May 2018

Malaysia: Progress of Harmonization

Dewan Rakyat Passes Amendments To Mental Health Act in CodeBlue, 24 May 2023

Malaysia: Additional Suggestions for Harmonization of Domestic Legislation

Banking and Financial Services

Civil Society Inputs to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) for the Preparation of BNM Guidelines on Accessible Malaysian Banking Practice by Yuenwah San, in consultation with Moses Choo; Wong Yoon Loong; Ahmad Shamsuri Muhamad; Kamariah Rahmah Mohd Nazari; Surendra Ananth; Meera Samanther; Abraham Au; and Dipendra Manocha, updated 14 July 2023

Digital Rights

Status of Digital Rights in Malaysia: Focus on Persons with Disabilities, Older Persons, Children and Youth, a Civil Society Joint Submission for the 45th Session, 4th Cycle, Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review

  • Full report: pdf, word
  • Annex I: Lived Experience Voices of Persons with Disabilities: pdf, word

Communication and Multimedia

Legal Recognition of Sign Language

Sign language, what is it? : an ESCAP guide towards legal recognition of sign languages in Asia and the Pacific

Sign Language-Specific Laws of New Zealand, Philippines and the Republic of Korea

  • New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006
  • Republic Act No. 11106: An Act Declaring the Filipino Sign Language as the National Sign Language of the Filipino Deaf and the Official Sign Language of Government in all Transactions Involving the Deaf, and Mandating Its Use in Schools, Broadcast Media, and Workplaces
  • Korean Sign Language Act, Act No. 13978, Feb. 3, 2016, Amended by Act No. 17722, Dec. 22, 2020, Act No. 18783, Jan. 18, 2022

Limitations and Exceptions to Traditional Copyright Law

Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled – Available in English and Chinese language in pdf and word format, Braille, and Full Audio and Daisy Format

World Blind Union Guide to the Marrakesh Treaty

World Blind Union Marrakesh Treaty Pocket Guide

The Accessible Books Consortium (ABC)

Digital Accessibility Standards and Guidelines

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

Section 508 and Digital Accessibility