Latest news with #AnnualReportandFinancialStatement
New Straits Times
25-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
House arrest bill in final phase, says Home Minister
KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry 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 Home Ministry 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 yesterday. 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 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 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
Barnama
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
KPWKM Channels Over RM20 Mln To PSK To Assist Vulnerable Groups
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) has channelled RM20.65 million this year to Voluntary Welfare Organisations (PSK) that provide services to the elderly, the disabled (OKU) and children. KPWKM Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said the assistance included food and beverages, special allowances for disabled students, volunteer allowances as well as administrative and infrastructure grants. "The assistance is based on the principle of welfare as a shared responsibility, hence PSK are encouraged to obtain additional funding sources without relying entirely on the government," she said. Noraini said this during the winding-up session on the debate on the Annual Report and Financial Statement of the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) 2023 for KPWKM at the Dewan Rakyat sitting today. Regarding the proposal to establish a special ministry for the elderly in preparation for Malaysia as an ageing country, she said the National Senior Citizens Advisory and Legislative Council would be the main platform to coordinate the issue. Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang, while winding up the debate on the report on the human rights of the Orang Asli, said the government was committed to ensuring that no group was left out in all aspects, including democratic rights. She said the Orang Asli Department (JAKOA) had implemented various initiatives, including organising awareness campaigns for voters in Orang Asli villages in collaboration with the Election Commission (EC) and civil society organisations to provide a clear understanding of the importance of being a voter. "To ensure that physical access is not an obstacle, JAKOA also helps to facilitate transportation and logistics, especially for communities in the interior and difficult to access," she said. While winding up the debate for the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), the relevant Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the government was developing a one-stop centre to standardise the application and approval procedures for premises and hawker licences.
Barnama
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Bill On House Arrest In Final Phase
GENERAL 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.
The Star
24-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Govt approves RM14.39mil grant to Suhakam for 2023 operational costs
KUALA LUMPUR: The government, through the Finance Ministry, has approved a grant of RM14.39mil to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) in 2023 to cover operating expenses and meet the objectives of its establishment. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said the grant is the highest amount approved by the government. "The grant is intended to cover operating expenses, fixed allowance of Suhakam commissioner, emoluments, operations rental, utilities, implementation of Suhakam's annual programmes and activities, as well as the purchase of assets such as vehicles on a one-off basis. "The granting of the fund is based on the 2023 Budget review session, as well as Suhakam's expenditure performance and the government's financial capacity at that time," she said when winding up the Debate on the Motion for the Suhakam 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statement for MoF at the Dewan Rakyat here on Thursday (July 24). Meanwhile, she also welcomed the proposal by William Leong Jee Keen (PH-Selayang) and Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) to increase the allocation to Suhakam as stated in the report presented. Therefore, Lim said the government would consider appropriate allocations for Suhakam's needs subject to the current government's capacity. "Since the establishment of Suhakam in 2000, the government has never failed to provide allocations. The government is always committed to ensuring that Suhakam can operate and fulfil its establishment objectives," said Lim. – Bernama
