Saifuddin: House arrest Bill for remand prisoners in final review stage

KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry and the Attorney-General's Chambers are in the final stages of reviewing a Bill on house arrest for remand prisoners.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said there was currently no legal provision under the ministry or the Prisons Department allowing prisoners to serve their sentences at home under house arrest.

"The ministry is drafting a Bill on house arrest, focusing on remand prisoners.

"It is now in the final stages of review by the ministry and the Attorney-General's Chambers," he said in a written parliamentary reply yesterday.

He was responding to Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (PH-Beruas), who asked under which law a prisoner could be allowed to serve a sentence at home.

Saifuddin said Article 42 of the Federal Constitution provides for a prisoner to be considered for a pardon, remission or commutation of sentence, or a stay of execution.

Such decisions fall under the Pardons Board and require the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or a Yang di-Pertua Negeri.