KUALA LUMPUR: A backbencher today urged the government to carefully reconsider a proposed bill regarding house arrest.
Jelutong member of Parliament RSN Rayer expressed concern over rumours suggesting the bill might be tailored for specific inmates.
"I urge the government to think twice about proposing a bill on house arrest," he said during the debate on the Supply Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat today.
"There are circulating rumours that this bill is being drafted for certain inmates. While I won't name anyone, (Datuk Seri) Najib Razak has been mentioned frequently."
Rayer cautioned that if the government intended to restrict house arrest eligibility to specific individuals, it must provide detailed explanations.
"We need clarity on who qualifies for house arrest or home imprisonment. We do not want to create a divide between two classes in our country," he said.
On Oct 18, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the government would draft a new act allowing house arrest as an alternative punishment for certain offences.
Under this proposed law, offenders will be required to remain in designated locations, such as their homes or care centres, for the duration of their sentences.
Anwar said that this measure is aimed at providing an alternative to traditional incarceration, focusing on rehabilitation while ensuring close supervision of offenders.
On another matter, Rayer also questioned the detention of members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
"In this context, I don't see a difference; the government is using Sosma to detain 58 individuals suspected of involvement with GISB," he said.
"I believe it's wrong to apply Sosma in this case. I have opposed it from the beginning, especially when DAP MPs or assemblymen were detained under it. This is a draconian law, Deputy Speaker. As a lawyer, I oppose the use of Sosma. If there is evidence, charge them in court; do not resort to Sosma, as it is a tyrannical law."