PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry may remove some individuals from a criminal register so that they can rebuild their lives.
Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said a review of the Registration Of Criminals And Undesirable Persons Act 1969 (Act 7) aims to allow these people to apply for jobs or start businesses.
He said they include individuals who have been investigated in criminal cases but are not charged, those who have been punished for an offence and those who have been detained under preventive laws.
Some of them had been granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal, but they remain on the list under the act, Saifuddin said.
He, however, emphasised that not all individuals would be removed from the list.
"We haven't made any decision yet. The police and the ministry are examining this issue, particularly those who are on the list due to investigations but are not yet charged in court.
"When such individuals apply for a job or a business licence, they must go through screening. Because of this, they are often unable to secure the opportunities.
"We are considering giving a second chance to these people but we must carefully examine several aspects.
"However, I want to emphasise that we will not compromise on safety," he said after attending his ministry's monthly assembly and National Day celebration here today.
He said the ministry is reviewing the offences and criteria for including names in the list 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.
"It (the review) will not take long and we are looking forward to announcing the next step," he said, adding that the number of individuals on the list ran into seven figures.
He said Bukit Aman's Criminal Investigation Division is also examining the law.
"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 a second chance and we are reviewing how best to address these issues and will provide updates once decisions are made."