On 22nd June 2021, the Government published a Scoping Assessment setting out the predicted impact of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) membership on trade with the region.

The UK is committed to ensuring that more trade supports an environment where workers’ rights are upheld, including working towards the eradication of modern slavery in global supply chains. The UK is playing a leading role in tackling modern slavery and is the first country to require businesses to report on how they are preventing modern slavery in their global supply chains. As more countries introduce their own legislation, the Government is working closely with partners to harmonise approaches and promote responsible business conduct.

The UK and Malaysia have a strong trading and investment relationship. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will support shared ambitions to remove barriers to trade and create new opportunities for business and investors. CPTPP has high environmental, labour and other standards. Its rules commit members to, for example, having a minimum wage and allowing freedom of association. The agreement includes a comprehensive labour chapter that intends to ensure parties protect and enforce labour rights, improve working conditions, and strengthen cooperation on labour issues.

​We have closely followed the case of Doan Thi Huong in relation to her role in the murder of Kim Jong-nam. Murder charges in her case have been dropped after she pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and she is expected to be freed by the Malaysian authorities in May 2019. The Foreign Secretary has not had discussions with his Malaysian counterpart on the legalities her specific case, however Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials in Kuala Lumpur continue to follow developments closely.

The UK supported the June 2018 Decision of the Conference of States Parties of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) that condemned the use of the nerve agent VX in the attack in Kuala Lumpur in 2017. We have encouraged the Government of Malaysia to pursue a thorough investigation and to share information with the OPCW.

I am concerned about the potential implications the new Anti-Fake News Bill could have, including for British citizens, media and business, and that this Bill was passed without meaningful public consultation or debate. The UK has, along with European partners, written to the Malaysian Government setting out our concerns, including around the potential extra territorial effects of the Bill, and requesting a meeting to discuss this. Most recently, the Minister for Asia and the Pacific discussed this issue with the Malaysian Senate President on 18 April. The UK will continue to promote freedom of expression and the right of the media including foreign media organisations, to report honestly and impartially.

This is an operational matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), who are independent from Government. The question has been passed on to the FCA.

I am aware of concerns related to the electoral boundary changes introduced by the Election Commission. We will be monitoring their impact, and have discussed the importance of free and fair elections with the Malaysian Government at the highest levels. Most recently the Minister for Asia and the Pacific raised these issues with the Malaysian Senate President on 18 April.

I am concerned about the potential implications the new Anti-Fake News Bill could have, including for British citizens, media and business, and that this Bill was passed without meaningful public consultation or debate. The UK has, along with European partners, written to the Malaysian Government setting out our concerns, including around the potential extra territorial effects of the Bill, and requesting a meeting to discuss this. Most recently, the Minister for Asia and the Pacific discussed this issue with the Malaysian Senate President on 18 April. The UK will continue to promote freedom of expression and the right of the media including foreign media organisations, to report honestly and impartially.

​We have encouraged the Government of Malaysia through our High Commission to pursue a thorough investigation into the death of Kim Jong-nam. We await the outcome of the ongoing trial.

We continue to impress upon partners the importance of North Korea upholding their responsibility as members of the international community to their legal obligations.