PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry is reviewing the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act 1969 (Act 7) to give a second chance to individuals who previously had a brush with the law, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
According to Saifuddin, Act 7 covers the registration of criminals, deportees and others.
Saifuddin said individuals with criminal records under Act 7 come with several circumstances, among them individuals who were convicted and whose appeals were rejected.
Saifuddin also said individuals might have criminal records if they were merely investigated by the police and weren't charged.
“Some were given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) but their names remain in the criminal record system,” said Saifuddin.
Saifuddin said many individuals in such circumstances often find it hard to look for jobs.
“For example, how are they supposed to get business licences if they were stuck at the screening process?
"It is due to this that usually these people find it hard to get jobs.
“So, we want to give a second chance to this segment. But, we have to be careful on this matter too,” said Saifuddin.
Saifuddin also stressed that the Home Ministry will not compromise with issues concerning safety.
“We will review the schedule of offences. We will also review provisions under Act 7 in terms of definition, or if we need to remove contradicting provisions.
“We want to see what is the way forward,” said Saifuddin.
Saifuddin also said there were more than one million Malaysians who were under such circumstances.
"So, we will thoroughly analyse these figures and we will divide them according to various categories,” said Saifuddin.
“We hope we can come to a conclusion soon,” added Saifuddin.
