‘Taking Anwar’s letter out of prison an offence’

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed says under the Prisons Act 1995 anything smuggled out of prison is an offence.

KUALA LUMPUR: The person who took out a letter by former Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim from prison has committed an offence and can be penalised.

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed said under the Prisons Act 1995, a person who smuggled or tried to smuggle prohibited goods in or out of prison was committing an offence.

The Prison Act provides for items which are banned from entering or leaving prison such as drugs, money, liquor or articles as decided by the Commissioner-General from time to time.

“There should be an investigation, but the letter has already gone out.

“The Prisons Department must be careful in future,” he told reporters in parliament lobby here today.

Nur Jazlan said Anwar was given many privileges, including regular communication with his family members and lawyers.

“When there is a lot of communication between family members and lawyers, there are many opportunities to take out the letter,” he added.

A news portal reported that Anwar wrote a letter to PKR leaders saying that the “Mahathir Declaration” was imperfect and strayed from the real reform agenda.

When asked about the travel ban on individuals who tarnish the country’s image, Nur Jazlan said politicians and activists who tend to make such statements should check with the Immigration Department.

“Maria Chin Abdullah (Bersih 2.0) should check whether or not she is listed by immigration and the same goes for Zunar (cartoonist),” he added.

On Monday, Maria was not stopped at the Immigration counter at KL International Airport (KLIA) and thus prevented from leaving for South Korea.

An English language newspaper reported that Immigration Director-General Sakib Kusmi confirmed the travel ban adding, holding a Malaysian international passport was a privilege and not a right.

– BERNAMA