Saifuddin addresses concerns over house arrest law, royal addendum, usage of SOSMA on GISBH leaders

Home Affairs Minister Senator Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail clarified that his ministry would like to have a house arrest law due to overcrowding and it would be limited to those who have been remanded.

“We have already obtained the approval of the Cabinet.. We will discuss with the Attorney General’s Chambers on the matrix and then engage with selected parliamentary select committee and all stakeholders,” he said while delivering his winding up speech on Budget 2025.

“The prison is overcrowded. As of yesterday, there are 87,229 detainees in all prisons.”

He explained that there are two types of detainees.

“One is within the prison walls. The other are in the community. Can we do this? Under the Prisons Act, we can.

“We allowed them out through several measures including license and parole.

“Monitoring devices does not come under the definition of handcuffs. We spoke to AGC and they recommended we have a new act.”

A house arrest law proposal was mentioned in the Budget 2025 speech text. Prime Minister cum Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar however did not announce it.

Saifuddin explained that house arrest option is meant for those who are detained under remand.

Royal addendum and SOSMA usage on GISBH leaders

Responding to Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hasan (PN-Kota Bharu) on another issue, he brushed off questions regarding the alleged royal addendum by the former Agong in the case of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“It is your view that the government should ask. We are of the view that if there is a dispute, let the courts decide.

“The courts have ruled that the addendum are equivalent to hearsay. Hence the issue should not be raised.

“The courts have made its decision

He also addressed the usage of Security Offences Special Measures Act (SOSMA) on the key figures of GISBH.

“Some of the GISBH leaders were charged under section 130(J) (B) of the Penal Code for child exploitation. There is also the element of profiting.

“That is the basis for them to be detained under Sosma. A total of 22 of them are facing charges.”