Is Anwar’s new law directed at Najib’s attempt to get house arrest?

 

NETIZENS are now joking that Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s mention of a new law to make house arrest possible in Malaysia is part of a plan to free the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) culprit and former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

An X user suggested that a deal between Najib and the government for a return of the money stolen from 1MDB could be the basis of this new law.

Anwar had announced in the Budget 2025 that the government is looking to introduce a law that will allow house arrest as an alternative punishment for certain offences.

“The government will draft a new Act to allow home detention as an alternative for certain offences.

“Offenders will be required to stay at a designated detention place, such as a residence, care home, or workers’ dormitory, throughout the detention period, subject to conditions set and monitored by prison officers,” he said.

No existing legal provisions allow prisoners to serve their sentences under house arrest. Some find it weird that a PM has to announce such a provision in the budget.

Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim expressed his surprise when the Budget 2025 speech touched on the issue, leading him to question whether this was a “preliminary step” to build public consensus for amending laws “to lighten the punishment for certain elites”.

“It was just one paragraph. It wasn’t explained why the matter of house arrest suddenly needed to be included in the budget speech?” he said.

According to Hassan, it seems out of place. The budget should be discussing ways to increase national revenue, steps to reduce government debt, and the fiscal deficit, for instance.

“The budget speech should focus on economic and financial matters, not on legal reforms or prison affairs.”

Another X user added that the MP should wait for Najib to be on house arrest first before making a fuss. The user said the Najib house arrest issue is one of stability and for UMNO to keep Anwar as PM until 2045.

“You’re too impatient. This is about stability and UMNO’s plan to keep Anwar as PM until 2045, fulfilling the prediction of distinguished statesman Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang.”

However, another user took the MP to task, asking him not to raise such havoc on this issue.

The user attacked the MP’s knowledge and ‘mentality’ which he said are similar to TikTokers. – Focus Malaysia