Kuala lumpur: The Home Ministry (KDN) is in the final stages of finalizing a new bill to introduce house arrest as an alternative to alleviate overcrowding in Malaysian prisons. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that the working papers for the bill have been presented to the Cabinet and have received policy approval.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the subsequent process involves creating an amendment matrix, requiring collaboration between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Attorney General's Chambers. Once these steps are complete, the bill will be tabled for further approval. The main issue under discussion is the definition of "shackles," which currently refers only to handcuffs. Saifuddin advocates for a broader interpretation that includes electronic monitoring devices.
Saifuddin acknowledged the pressing issue of overcrowding, with the current prison population standing at 83,808, surpassing the designed capacity of 76,311. He identified remand detention as a significant contributor to this congestion, particularly highlighting that 65 to 70 percent of detainees are involved in drug-related offenses under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The introduction of house arrest with electronic monitoring is proposed as a potential solution to address the 35 percent of congestion attributed to remand detention. This move aims to efficiently manage the prison population while ensuring public safety.
In relation to refugees managed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Saifuddin emphasized the necessity of checks and balances in the refugee registration process. He noted that the current process is conducted solely by UNHCR, without verification or monitoring by government security agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police or the Immigration Department.
Saifuddin also issued a reminder to participants of the upcoming rally in the federal capital, urging compliance with legal and security guidelines. While affirming the government's commitment to freedom of expression, he stressed the importance of exercising this right responsibly to avoid inciting racial or religious tensions.