GEORGE TOWN, May 17 — The draft amendment to the Prison Act is currently under review by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and is expected to be tabled in Parliament later this year.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the amendment would allow the Compulsory Attendance Order to be applied to remand prisoners, particularly those involved in non-serious offences.
“Suggestions to amend the Act have been approved in principle at the Cabinet level. The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) is now drafting the amendment matrix, after which it will be tabled in Parliament.”
“This amendment was proposed because, currently, it only applies to light sentences of under three years. We want to expand it to cover sentences of up to 10 years,” he said at a press conference after attending the 235th Prisons Day celebration at Padang Kota here today.
Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib officiated the event, which was also attended by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah and Prisons general-commissioner Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak.
Saifuddin Nasution said the Home Arrest Act would provide the legal framework for the Prisons Department to implement house arrest.
Once approved, detailed guidelines and regulations will be carefully developed to ensure effective implementation and the safety of all parties involved.
He added that the amendment is part of broader efforts to reform prison management with a more humane approach.
“Currently we have over 81,000 inmates in prison and 27,000 remand detainees, many of whom are minor offenders who have never been convicted. With this new law, these detainees can carry out their sentences at home with their families while being monitored, for instance, using electronic gadgets,” he said.
He also announced that the Step Up initiative launched today is part of the Prisons Department’s continuous efforts to strengthen rehabilitation and support system for former inmates. It aims to address stigma against rehabilitated individuals who are beginning new lives.
He stressed that prisons today not only serve to house individuals during their sentences but also play an active role in supporting them after their release.
— Bernama
