KUALA LUMPUR: The Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025, that passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (July 28), aims to reduce prison overcrowding among other matters, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah says.
The bill, among others, would allow Offenders Compulsory Attendance (PKW) to be given to offenders convicted of offences punishable by imprisonment of not more than 10 years, compared to the current imprisonment of not more than three years.
Dr Shamsul said Malaysian Prisons Department statistics as of July 22 showed that there were 83,827 people in prison facilities, while 5,759 were undergoing rehabilitation in the community.
"If you look at the actual capacity, the department’s facilities can accommodate only 76,311 prisoners," he said when winding up the debate on the bill.
Shamsul Anuar said the issue of prison overcrowding could cause an unconducive environment and have negative implications, such as the risk of spreading diseases among prisoners and prison staff.
In addition, it could reduce the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes, security risks due to unusual events such as riots and strikes, as well as worsen the government's financial burden.
Meanwhile, Shamsul Anuar said that from 2010 to date, a total of 8,227 offenders have undergone PKW with a success rate of 94.5%, while only 5.25% had their orders cancelled.
He said among the modules implemented through PKW were intervention programmes, spirituality, counselling, religion and related courses.
The sitting continues on Tuesday. - Bernama
