Mat Sabu proposes fair house arrest mechanism for all prisoners

MELAKA: Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu has proposed that the government introduce a legal mechanism allowing all prisoners to serve half their sentences in prison and the remaining half under house arrest.

Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, said the proposal should be based on a fair, transparent and uniformly applied legal framework.

He said non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should take up the cause to ensure all prisoners received equal treatment, regardless of their position, rank, political influence or background.

Mohamad, who is also Amanah president, said he was willing to donate his entire ministerial salary until the dissolution of the current Parliament to fund NGOs prepared to champion the proposal.

"I hope NGOs will come forward to spearhead efforts to push for a legal mechanism that allows prisoners to serve half their sentences in prison and the remaining half under house arrest.

"This should apply to all prisoners under fair, transparent and equally enforced rules," he said.