IGP: Fine-tune house arrest bill for orderly implementation

 

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) hopes the new house arrest bill proposed by the government will be fine-tuned to ensure orderly implementation and guarantee public safety.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said the new act would reduce prison congestion, as the current 87,000 inmates are causing a strain on prison capacity, which stands at 74,000 inmates.

“In principle, PDRM understands the problem and hopes the suggested (house arrest bill) will be studied and fine-tuned to ensure its orderly implementation.

“The most important thing is that public safety and order are maintained overall,” he said when contacted.

Razarudin said the police were ready to provide suggestions and improvements in an engagement session with the Prisons Department and the Home Ministry to ensure the interest of all parties, especially the public, is maintained.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution said on Oct 19 that the bill would be tabled next year after the cabinet agreed to provide approval in principle.

The bill aims to allow about 20,000 inmates from certain categories who qualify for consideration to undergo house arrest after being vetted.

These inmates include first-time offenders who did not commit major crimes, pregnant women, the elderly, and the disabled.

- Bernama