PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry is currently reviewing the Registration Of Criminals And Undesirable Persons Act 1969, to provide a second chance for those listed under the act.
Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the review aims to allow those with criminal records or listed as undesirable persons to continue their lives without, such as applying for jobs or starting businesses.
He said it involves individuals of various categories such as those who have been investigated in criminal cases but have not been charged, those who have been punished for a criminal offence and those who have been detained by preventive laws.
Some of them, Saifuddin said, were given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA), however, their names remain on the list under the act.
However, he said not all individuals will be removed from the list.
"We haven't made any decisions yet. The police and the ministry are currently examining this issue, particularly for those whose names are on the list due to investigation papers being opened but not formally charged in court.
"When such individuals apply for a job or a business licence, they must go through a screening process that often results in them being unable to secure these opportunities," he told reporters after attending his ministry's monthly assembly and Merdeka Day celebration here today.
Saifuddin said the list includes categories of individuals such as those convicted of crimes and those investigated but not charged.
"We are considering giving second chances to this segment but must carefully examine several aspects.
"However, I would like to emphasise that we will not compromise with issues concerning safety," he told reporters after attending his ministry's monthly assembly and Merdeka Day celebration here today.
He said the ministry is reviewing the schedules of offences and criteria for including names in criminal records or lists of undesirable persons.
"We will reassess the provisions of the act in terms of interpretation, definitions and the inclusion or removal of overlapping matters and determine the way forward.
"Whether it requires amending to the act or utilising Section 14 of the act, which grants the minister discretion to establish regulations, we have not started internal discussions.
"It (the review) would not be long and we are looking forward to announcing the next step," he said, adding there were seven-digit figures of individuals in the list.
He said Bukit Aman's Criminal Investigation Division, specifically D4, whose primary duty is to enforce Act 7, is also examining it.
"We are still in the early stages of discussion. The number is substantial - between 400 and 600 cases are reviewed daily by this division.
"We need to examine the potential for providing second chances and we are reviewing how to best address these issues and will provide updates once decisions are made."