PUTRAJAYA: More than one million individuals who previously had a brush with the law may be given a second chance as the Home Ministry is currently reviewing the law that oversees the registration of criminal records.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said there were various crimes listed under the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act 1969 (Act 7), and they include individuals who were merely investigated by the police, but were not subsequently charged.
“Some were given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA), but their names remained in the criminal record system,” he said, adding that Act 7 also includes criminals who were convicted and whose appeals were rejected.
“We haven’t made any decision yet. The police, in particular, and the Home Ministry is currently reviewing this topic,” he said during a press conference after attending the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly here yesterday.
Saifuddin said many individuals in such circumstances often find it hard to seek employment.
“For example, how are they supposed to get jobs or business licences if they were stuck at the screening process? It is due to this that usually these people don’t get jobs.
“So, we want to give a second chance to this segment, but, we have to be careful on this matter too,” he said.
At the same time, he stressed that the Home Ministry will not compromise on issues concerning safety, and that this proposed review of records is not for hardened criminals.
“So, 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,” Saifuddin said, adding that there are more than one million Malaysians facing such circumstances.
“So, we will thoroughly analyse these figures and we will divide them according to various categories, and hope to come to a conclusion soon,” he added.
On a separate topic, Saifuddin said no bystanders were injured in the recent shootout near Bandar Sunway in which a suspected robber was killed, and this reflects the police’s professionalism.
According to him, the police had taken into account public safety before executing any plans.
“It wasn’t a careless decision. These are moments where errors are not permitted. It has to be precise,” said Saifuddin.
