PUTRAJAYA: The Prisons Department will not be immune from legal action despite the proposed amendments to the Prisons Act, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said that among the matters being studied in the proposed amendments was the word “protection” which needs further discussion and explanation, following concerns raised by several non-governmental organisations and MPs.
“But the Prisons Department needs assurance so that it can perform its duties properly and smoothly. For example, if a prison official faces legal action after a convict dies from whipping even though the department is just carrying out a court order in the presence of a doctor.
“Another example is an inmate dies in his sleep and the medical report shows no wrongdoing. So, in such situations, there is a need for the amendments to be made.
“We will continue the engagement sessions to explain this to all stakeholders as many other Acts also contain similar provisions,” he said after the ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday.
Saifuddin Nasution stressed that any misconduct or wrongdoing will not be swept under the carpet and that action will still be taken.
Citing the case in Kamunting prison, he said an investigation paper was opened with internal, as well as legal, action initiated.
“This shows that there is absolutely no intention to seek immunity. Prison officers remain subject to legal action if negligence or any violation occurs,” he said.
On June 25, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah told the Dewan Rakyat that the government had agreed to send the Prisons (Amendment) Bill 2026 back to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Security and the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections and Institutional Reform before proceeding further.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution said despite facing an issue of overcrowding, enforcement action against illegal migrants will continue as it is a matter of national sovereignty and security.
“We must maintain the momentum of raids to ensure that foreigners in the country comply with the Immigration Act, including possessing valid documents, not overstaying or misusing their visitor passes,” he said.
He added that there are currently 19 immigration depots but they had exceeded their capacity following an increase in enforcement activities.
On another matter, Saifuddin Nasution said the digitalisation agenda of the Registrar of Societies (ROS) will reduce face-to-face interactions as a way to improve integrity with greater efficiency and speed.
“This means that all transactions and service delivery processes between stakeholders and the ROS will now be carried out digitally,” he said.
