A/HRC/40/11 131. Peru applauded the programmes to strengthen the interaction between religions and to promote respect between ethnic and religious groups. 132. The Philippines welcomed the Government Transformation Programme and efforts to promote human rights education and training. 133. Portugal made recommendations. 134. Qatar welcomed the adoption of a national framework for human rights and measures taken to facilitate access to education. 135. The Republic of Korea appreciated the efforts to protect and promote the rights of women and children. 136. The Republic of Moldova commended the decision to abolish the death penalty and the cooperation with the special procedures. 137. Romania acknowledged the removal of a mandatory death sentence for drug offences and the recent introduction of a moratorium on executions. 138. The Russian Federation noted measures to integrate human rights education in schools and to promote interfaith and inter-ethnic tolerance and dialogue. 139. Saudi Arabia welcomed the efforts made by Malaysia to eradicate poverty, especially the extension of the Poverty Reduction Programme to cover low-income families. 140. Senegal congratulated Malaysia on its programme to foster interactions between races and religions and for ensuring greater respect for different religions and ethnic groups. 141. Serbia welcomed the recognition by Malaysia of the need to continuously monitor and track the implementation of accepted recommendations. 142. Singapore commended the efforts made by Malaysia to achieve sustainable development and acknowledged its progress in advancing the rights of women and girls. 143. The delegation of Malaysia highlighted that the doctrine of judicial precedent was actively applied and mentioned the decision of the Federal Court, in the case of Indira Gandhi a/p Mutho, that the consent of both parents is required before a certificate of conversion to Islam can be issued in respect of a child. 144. Malaysia was considered to be a country of destination, with more than 1.5 million documented foreign workers. On workers’ rights, several initiatives had been taken regarding the management of foreign workers, including a proposal to establish a single online application system for foreign workers. 145. Malaysia viewed forced labour and child labour as serious crimes, and conceded that they remain prevalent, albeit sporadic, in plantations. Together with the International Labour Organization (ILO), Malaysia was developing a strategic compliance planning method for labour inspection. 146. The Government had amended the Private Employment Agencies Act 2017 in order to better regulate the recruitment and placement activities of private employment agencies. 147. The Sarawak Land Code had been amended to legally recognize the rights of the indigenous people over their native territorial domain. A moratorium had been imposed on approving the use of State land for new oil palm plantations. The lives of members of the Penan community had been gradually improved through livelihood restoration programmes. Another three development agencies had been established to spearhead the socioeconomic development of indigenous populations in remote areas. 148. Malaysia underscored that it was committed to improving the well-being of rural communities, including the Orang Asli (Aboriginal People) in Peninsular Malaysia and the indigenous people in Sabah and Sarawak. It had implemented economic development programmes for the Orang Asli in areas such as agriculture, fishing, entrepreneurship and human capital development. The Government had initiated a constructive dialogue with representatives of the Aboriginal People’s community over the issue of land rights. 9