KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry is currently studying the possible implementation of home detention and suspended sentences with intervention as part of the prison reform framework in the country, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, said this is because Malaysia's incarceration rate currently exceeds the global international rate released by the World Prison Brief (WPB).
"(If it is implemented) 16,000 out of 75,000 inmates can undergo home detention, which will contribute to reducing overcrowding issues in prisons," he said.
At the same time, Saifuddin added that the ministry was also working with the Attorney-General's Chambers to properly define the system for use of electronic monitoring devices (EMD) for home detention.
He said this was because there were two different viewpoints on the definition of home detention by certain parties.
"One states that by definition, an ankle bracelet is physical and the use of gadgets does not fall under the category of physical restraints.
"Hence, if we want to implement the system, we need to change the interpretation of home detention by including a proper definition of the use of EMD.
"If that is possible, we believe that the system is doable and can be implemented for prison reform."
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said the government also plans in the current parliamentary session to amend drug-related laws to allow certain drug offenders to undergo rehabilitation programmes.
"During this session, we are considering proposing amendments to drug abuse laws to allow individuals who abuse drugs to undergo rehabilitation programmes instead of being imprisoned.
"If this amendment receives support from honourable members in this session, it will definitely enable those involved to be immediately transferred to rehabilitation centres."