Penang: The draft of the Prison Act amendment is currently under review at the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and is anticipated to be presented in Parliament later this year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the amendment aims to implement the Compulsory Attendance Order for individuals in remand, particularly focusing on non-major offences. The suggestions for amending the Act have been approved in principle at the Cabinet level, with the AGC now developing the amendment matrix before its parliamentary tabling.
Saifuddin Nasution highlighted that the amendment seeks to extend the current light sentence provision from three years to ten years. This announcement was made during a media conference at the 235th Prisons Day celebrations in Padang Kota, attended by notable figures such as Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, and Prisons General Commissioner Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak.
The Home Minister also mentioned that the proposed Home Arrest Act would provide a legal basis for the Prisons Department to officially implement house arrest. Once approved, comprehensive guidelines and regulations will be developed to ensure its effective implementation and the safety of all parties involved.
The amendment is part of broader efforts to reform prison management with a more humane approach. Saifuddin Nasution noted that there are currently over 81,000 inmates and 27,000 remand detainees, many of whom are minor offenders without prior convictions. The new law would allow these detainees to serve their sentences at home, monitored through electronic devices, before their trials conclude.
Additionally, Saifuddin Nasution announced the launch of the Step Up initiative, aimed at strengthening the rehabilitation and support system for former inmates. This initiative addresses the stigma faced by rehabilitated individuals re-entering society and emphasizes the role of prisons in caring for individuals during and after their sentences.
Efforts to support former inmates include the establishment of halfway houses as temporary shelters for those not yet accepted by families or society. These facilities provide further rehabilitation and work training to help rebuild self-confidence and skills. Such programs have proven effective in reducing recidivism and alleviating prison overcrowding.
Saifuddin Nasution noted the involvement of 1,225 companies in the initiative, with varying levels of participation, from accommodating a few inmates to over a hundred.
During the ceremony, Saifuddin Nasution was honored with the Johan Bakti Setia medal.