No double standards in Peter Anthony’s release, says prisons dept

The prisons department has denied allegations of double standards over the release of former Sabah infrastructure minister Peter Anthony under the Licensed Prisoner Release Programme.

The department said Anthony was considered for parole only after having met the stipulated eligibility period and undergone the required screening and assessment process.

A prisoner must have served at least one-third of their sentence to be considered for parole, but meeting the threshold does not automatically qualify them for release, it said.

“His release via parole does not mean the remainder of the sentence handed down by the court has been set aside.

“He continues to serve the remaining sentence term in the community and remains subject to the stipulated conditions, regulations and monitoring throughout that period,” it said in a statement today.

Peter was convicted in 2022 of forging a letter from the office of the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) deputy vice-chancellor 11 years ago in connection with a maintenance and service contract.

He was ordered to begin serving his three-year jail term last year following the dismissal of his final appeal to have his conviction overturned on March 4, 2025. He was released on parole in March this year.

The prisons department said parole decisions were made by a committee chaired by the commissioner-general of prisons and comprising senior officers and representatives of relevant agencies.

It said assessments took into account several factors, including a prisoner’s good behaviour, rehabilitation progress, participation in rehabilitation programmes, readiness to return to the community, family support and employment opportunities.

“Parole is implemented for eligible prospects regardless of background, position, status or influence. Individual status is not a criterion that confers advantage or exemption from the stipulated eligibility and assessment process,” it said.

The department said the programme was part of its community rehabilitation efforts and was intended to balance public safety, rehabilitation, supervision and reintegration into society.

“Therefore, allegations that release through parole is granted based on preferential treatment or double standards are inaccurate,” it said.

MCA president Wee Ka Siong had questioned why there was no uproar from Pakatan Harapan when Peter was released under parole, contrasting this with the coalition’s call for those convicted of corruption or abuse of power, particularly in high-profile cases, to serve their sentences in full.

The issue comes amid renewed attention on former prime minister Najib Razak’s bid for a pardon over his convictions linked to the 1MDB scandal.

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