Latest news with #OffendersCompulsoryAttendance


The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Offenders compulsory attendance order to reduce prison overcrowding
KUALA LUMPUR: The Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed in the Dewan Rakyat today, with Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah stating its primary aim is to address prison overcrowding. He revealed that as of July 22, Malaysian prisons housed 83,827 inmates, exceeding the capacity of 76,311. Another 5,759 offenders are undergoing community rehabilitation. 'Overcrowding creates an unconducive environment, increasing disease risks and reducing rehabilitation effectiveness,' Shamsul Anuar said during the debate. The bill expands eligibility for compulsory attendance orders (PKW) to offenders facing up to 10 years' imprisonment, up from the current three-year limit. Shamsul Anuar noted that since 2010, 8,227 offenders have undergone PKW with a 94.5% success rate, while only 5.25% had orders revoked. Rehabilitation modules under PKW include intervention programmes, counselling, and religious courses. The minister also highlighted financial burdens and security risks linked to overcrowding, such as riots and strikes. The Dewan Rakyat sitting resumes tomorrow. - Bernama
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New Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Community service option extended to more offenders
KUALA LUMPUR: The Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Act 2025, aimed at broadening the category of offenders eligible for mandatory community service in place of imprisonment, has been passed by the Dewan Rakyat today. The proposed amendments will allow offenders convicted of crimes punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment, and who reside near a compulsory attendance centre, to be eligible for alternative sentencing. Individuals facing imprisonment for failing to pay fines will also qualify under the revised law. Offenders will be required to undertake compulsory work for a period not exceeding 12 months and no more than four hours a day. However, before granting such an order, the court must assess whether the offender would be adequately punished by a prison sentence not exceeding three years, and take into account the individual's character, as stipulated in the amended Section 5(1A) of the Offenders Compulsory Attendance Act 1954. "Up to July 25, 2025, 8,225 people have received such an order. This shows that this is not new," Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said in his winding-up speech. Responding to government backbencher Lim Lip Eng's (PH–Kepong) suggestion to utilise electronic monitoring, the deputy minister said an amendment is in the works. "I would like to inform you that the Prisons Department has taken note of this proposal. "The Prisons Act 1995 is being amended, which includes a suggestion on using electronic monitoring as a method," he said. Shamsul also clarified that remand detainees and prisoners were already separated in prison. "This separation is important to ensure that people facing trial are not exposed to negative influences or security risks from convicted inmates. "We have already been doing this for a long time," he said.

The Star
a day ago
- Health
- The Star
Offenders compulsory attendance order to reduce prison overcrowding, says Shamsul Anuar
KUALA LUMPUR: The Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025, that passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (July 28), aims to reduce prison overcrowding among other matters, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah says. The bill, among others, would allow Offenders Compulsory Attendance (PKW) to be given to offenders convicted of offences punishable by imprisonment of not more than 10 years, compared to the current imprisonment of not more than three years. Dr Shamsul said Malaysian Prisons Department statistics as of July 22 showed that there were 83,827 people in prison facilities, while 5,759 were undergoing rehabilitation in the community. "If you look at the actual capacity, the department's facilities can accommodate only 76,311 prisoners," he said when winding up the debate on the bill. Shamsul Anuar said the issue of prison overcrowding could cause an unconducive environment and have negative implications, such as the risk of spreading diseases among prisoners and prison staff. In addition, it could reduce the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes, security risks due to unusual events such as riots and strikes, as well as worsen the government's financial burden. Meanwhile, Shamsul Anuar said that from 2010 to date, a total of 8,227 offenders have undergone PKW with a success rate of 94.5%, while only 5.25% had their orders cancelled. He said among the modules implemented through PKW were intervention programmes, spirituality, counselling, religion and related courses. The sitting continues on Tuesday. - Bernama

Barnama
a day ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Offenders Compulsory Attendance Order To Reduce Prison Overcrowding
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- The Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025 passed in the Dewan Rakyat today, among other things, aims to reduce prison overcrowding, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah. He said based on statistics on the number of prisoners under the Malaysian Prisons Department as of July 22, a total of 83,827 people were in prison facilities, while another 5,759 were undergoing rehabilitation in the community. "If you look at the actual capacity, Malaysian Prisons Department facilities can accommodate only 76,311 prisoners," he said when winding up the debate on the bill. Shamsul Anuar said the issue of prison overcrowding could cause an unconducive environment and have negative implications such as the risk of spreading diseases among prisoners and prison staff. In addition, it could reduce the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes, security risks due to unusual events such as riots and strikes, as well as increasing the government's financial burden. The bill, among others, is to allow Offenders Compulsory Attendance (PKW) to be given to offenders convicted of offences punishable by imprisonment of not more than 10 years, compared to the current imprisonment of not more than three years. Meanwhile, Shamsul Anuar said from 2010 to date, a total of 8,227 offenders have undergone PKW with a success rate of 94.5 per cent, while only 5.25 per cent had their orders cancelled. He said among the modules implemented through PKW were intervention programmes, spirituality, counselling, religion and related courses. The sitting continues tomorrow.


New Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Community service option extended to more offenders
KUALA LUMPUR: The Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Act 2025, aimed at broadening the category of offenders eligible for mandatory community service in place of imprisonment, passed its third reading in the Dewan Rakyat today. The proposed amendments would allow offenders convicted of crimes punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment, and who reside near a compulsory attendance centre, to be eligible for alternative sentencing. Individuals facing imprisonment for failing to pay fines would also qualify under the revised law. Offenders will be required to undertake compulsory work for a period not exceeding 12 months and not more than four hours a day. However, before granting such an order, the court must assess whether the offender would be adequately punished by a prison sentence not exceeding three years, and take into account the individual's character, as stipulated in the amended Section 5(1A) of the Offenders Compulsory Attendance Act 1954.