24-07-2025
House arrest law can ease prison overcrowding, says Saifuddin
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is mulling house arrest – which includes the use of electronic monitoring devices – for remand detainees to address overcrowding in prisons, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister revealed that the current prison population is 83,808, with 35% comprising remand prisoners.
"Something must be done," he said during the wrap-up of debates on the Suhakam 2023 report in Parliament on Thursday (July 24).
He also said that the government is focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, which have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing recidivism.
Saifuddin said among these are the Licensed Prisoner Release and Corporate Smart Internship Programme that provide job opportunities in five economic sectors, namely plantations, service, construction, manufacturing and agriculture.
"After reintegration and serving their sentences, only one out of 800 prisoners is a re-offender," he said.
Saifuddin also said legislative amendments would be needed, saying there are ongoing efforts to redefine "restraint devices" to include electronic monitoring devices.
"We have had the policy approval, now we need to develop the amendment matrix. Just like the format of a Bill," he said.
On the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), Saifuddin said there is continuous engagement to review the law.
He said this included reviewing what constitutes bailable, non-bailable and unbailable offences under Sosma, with 13 out 73 offences under Section 13 of the Act identified for removal from the list.
"On having a special court to hear Sosma offences, the engagement will continue… we will study the recommendations," he added.
During debates, several MPs raised concerns over Sosma detainees.
Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang), said that the Actm which provides for detention without bail and delayed trials could lead to a violation of human rights.
He told the Dewan Rakyat that detainees held under Sosma are not allowed bail under Section 13 of the Act, with some facing long delays before their trials begin.
