Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today said he was notified that “special permission” was granted to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi regarding his visit to meet former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak in Kajang Prison.
Speaking to reporters in Parliament, Saifuddin said he was notified of the visit by Prisons Department Commissioner-General Nordin Muhamad, the only person other than himself authorised to issue it under Regulation 86 of the Prisons Regulation 2000.
“The commissioner-general notified me, and so I know (of the visit). Subsequent procedures are by him.
“The important thing is that he notified me, and I’m aware,” said Saifuddin when quizzed over procedures related to special permissions for prison visits.
Zahid, in a speech at Umno’s recent annual general assembly, revealed how he met with Najib at Kajang Prison, brought the former Pekan MP’s favourite food, and spent about two hours together.
Regulations 86 to 98 govern permissions granted and restrictions imposed on communications or visitations for inmates.
Specifically, Regulation 87 provides for a 45-minute visit, but Regulation 87(4) also states that “the officer in charge may vary the length of visits as he deems fit”.
“The visit was held in the presence of prison officers.
“The prison officer is the party authorised to decide (on the duration) at that present moment,” Saifuddin said on Zahid’s visit.
“I used to visit Anwar (Ibrahim) in prison. Sometimes I got 15 minutes, sometimes 30 minutes, and very rarely do I get 45 minutes. Depends on discretion,” he added.
Saifuddin also cited Regulation 99 that special permission must be granted for outsiders to bring food during a visit. - Mkini
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