Bill On House Arrest In Final Phase - Saifuddin Nasution

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- The Home Ministry (KDN) is in the final phase of finalising a new bill relating to house arrest as an alternative to reducing overcrowding in prisons.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the working papers relating to the bill have been submitted to the Cabinet and have received policy approval.

“The next process is to carry out an amendment matrix and the Ministry of Home Affairs has to sit with the Attorney General’s Chambers and once that is done, we will table it. The issue is the definition of shackles, one interpretation of shackles (currently) is only handcuffs (but) I tend to interpret shackles as including devices.

“But because there is a mistake in terms of interpretation, then let the drafters resolve it and I promise that as soon as they resolve it, I will return to the Cabinet to seek approval in terms of amendments,” he said when winding up the motion for the Annual Report and Financial Statement of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) 2023 for the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He admitted that there is overcrowding in prisons, with the latest number of prisoners increasing to 83,808, exceeding the original capacity of the prison which is 76,311.

He said that among the causes of the congestion is remand detention where 65 to 70 per cent of the total prisoners are involved in drug-related cases under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 involving Section 15(1) (entering drugs into the body), Section 12(2) (possession of drugs in small quantities) and Section 33C (repeat offence).

He said the implementation of house arrest with electronic monitoring is among the solutions currently being formulated to address the issue of remand detention which contributes to 35 per cent of the congestion.

Regarding refugees handled by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Saifuddin Nasution said the Home Ministry believes there is a need for an element for check and balance on the refugee registration process carried out by UNHCR.

He said that currently, the process is carried out entirely by UNHCR without the involvement of any government security agency such as the Royal Malaysia Police, Immigration Department or other agencies for verification and monitoring purposes.

“Their method is all by themselves, the interview, assessment and the issuance of the card. Are there government agencies to verify and cross-check? The answer is no, it is all up to UNHCR's consideration," he said.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution also reminded all participants who will be joining the rally in the federal capital this Saturday to comply with the law and the security guidelines.

He stressed that the government remains committed to the principle of freedom of expression, but it must be implemented responsibly and without causing any racial and religious tension.

-- BERNAMA