'House arrest' in budget speech: PKR MP ponders on elite prisoners
Published: Oct 19, 2024 10:00 AM
Outspoken PKR lawmaker Hassan Karim found it bizarre that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim touched on the issue of house arrest in his Budget 2025 speech.
The Pasir Gudang MP asked if this was an attempt to start the groundwork for laws to be amended to “lighten the sentence for certain elite groups”.
“There was only a single paragraph (about house arrest). There was no explanation as to why there was a sudden need to include this in the budget speech.
“It looks odd. This (budget speech) is to discuss how to increase the nation’s revenue and reduce debt and fiscal deficit.
“The budget speech should be focused on the economy and finance, not the reforms of laws or matters related to imprisonment,” he added.
Wondering what crimes would make a person eligible for house arrest, Hassan asked if this would include those convicted for corruption and criminal breach of trust.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reading out his budget speech in Parliament, Oct 18, 2024.
He noted that while the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024, which involved significant changes to citizenship laws, was passed with more than a two-thirds majority, the situation would be different regarding drafting a new law for house arrests.
Hassan cautioned that if it is detected from the onset that there is an intention to provide preferential treatment for certain elite groups, the public and MPs would oppose the move.
“I hope the prime minister does not continue with such regressive agendas,” he added.
Alternative punishment for selected offences
Anwar’s budget speech included a portion that focused on “second chances” and indicated plans to formulate new legislation to allow home detention as an alternative punishment for selected offences.
“The offender will be required to be at a place deemed suitable such as a residential home, a care home, or a workers’ hostel throughout the period of detention, under set conditions, and observed by a Prison Department officer,” the speech read.
He noted that while the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024, which involved significant changes to citizenship laws, was passed with more than a two-thirds majority, the situation would be different regarding drafting a new law for house arrests.
Hassan cautioned that if it is detected from the onset that there is an intention to provide preferential treatment for certain elite groups, the public and MPs would oppose the move.
“I hope the prime minister does not continue with such regressive agendas,” he added.
Alternative punishment for selected offences
Anwar’s budget speech included a portion that focused on “second chances” and indicated plans to formulate new legislation to allow home detention as an alternative punishment for selected offences.
“The offender will be required to be at a place deemed suitable such as a residential home, a care home, or a workers’ hostel throughout the period of detention, under set conditions, and observed by a Prison Department officer,” the speech read.
Kajang Prison in Selangor
Anwar, however, did not read out this portion - which was included in a printout released by the Finance Ministry - during his speech.
According to lawyers, prisoners in Malaysia cannot apply for house arrest as there is no such provision in the country’s legal system.
The issue became a hot-button topic earlier this year after former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak claimed that the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong had granted him clemency.
Najib is serving a six-year jail term over the SRC International case and is also embroiled in other legal cases related to the 1MDB mega scandal.
According to lawyers, prisoners in Malaysia cannot apply for house arrest as there is no such provision in the country’s legal system.
The issue became a hot-button topic earlier this year after former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak claimed that the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong had granted him clemency.
Najib is serving a six-year jail term over the SRC International case and is also embroiled in other legal cases related to the 1MDB mega scandal.
A law tailored to benefit Najib Ther Crook.
ReplyDeleteWhat a filthy joke this Madani