Home Ministry To Clarify Bill Related To House Arrest In Dewan Rakyat On Thursday

KAJANG, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- The Home Ministry (KDN) will provide further clarification on the new bill related to house arrest in the Dewan Rakyat this Thursday, said its Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He shared that he would offer comprehensive details about the bill during the ministry’s policy-level winding-up debate, that day.

“On Thursday, I will explain the rationale behind the bill, outline the process, define the parameters, and indicate the number of participants anticipated for the programme," he said.

Saifuddin Nasution added that these details would address public concerns, which, he noted, have focused on a single individual, following the mention of house arrest in Budget 2025, tabled by the Prime Minister last month.

He said this to reporters after attending the Home Minister's Townhall Session, titled 'Reducing Dependence on Foreign Workers through Recruiting Prospects Who Undergo Rehabilitation in the Community', at the Prisons Department headquarters, here, today.

Expanding on the matter, Saifuddin Nasution clarified that, while he had mentioned approximately 20,000 eligible offenders for the programme, this does not imply that all would undergo house arrest simultaneously.

“There are several criteria that must be met, such as maintaining discipline throughout their sentence, among other requirements. The Prisons Department and my ministry have prepared all necessary data for this purpose,” he explained.

He said that the Home Ministry has received the green light from the Cabinet to implement house arrest, and plans to conduct engagement sessions with various stakeholders.

When tabling the 2025 Budget, the Prime Minister announced that the government would introduce a new law permitting home detention as an alternative, for specific offences.

Anwar outlined that under this law, offenders would be required to remain in a designated place of detention - such as a residence, care facility, or worker’s dormitory - throughout their detention period, with conditions set and monitored by prison officers.

-- BERNAMA