LUMUT: The Home Ministry acts solely as the implementing agency for the Pardons Board's decisions on a prisoner's sentence, including house arrest.
Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the ministry was not in a position to comment further on calls from various quarters regarding eligibility for house arrest, as pardon petitions fall outside its jurisdiction.
"So whether a pardon petition is discussed, considered and decided or not, that is not within the Home Ministry's scope of responsibility.
"But if a decision is made, our job is to carry it out. Whether the sentence is reduced, set aside, or the person is released or placed under house arrest, our job is to implement it," he told reporters at a Madani-Rela event here on Saturday (Nov 14).
Saifuddin Nasution was commenting on media reports about a recent statement by Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu that house arrest should not be a privilege reserved for certain groups, but should be considered fairly for all eligible prisoners.
Last Friday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court allowed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, 73, to serve the remainder of his prison sentence in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case under house arrest at his residence in Langgak Duta, effective immediately until Aug 23, 2028.
Expanding on the legal perspective, Saifuddin Nasution said the right to submit a pardon petition is always open to any individual, regardless of status or background, once all judicial processes in court have been completed.
He said petitions submitted by prisoners while serving their sentences would be raised for the Pardons Board's consideration at the federal level or before the Ruler or Sultan in their respective states.
"If there is a view that everyone should be given equal treatment, from a legal standpoint, that right already exists.
"As I said earlier, the first part is that anyone can apply. Whether the petition is entertained or not is another matter," he said. - Bernama
