KUCHING, March 6:Â Parti Bumi Kenyalang President Voon Lee Shan has urged the government not to allow house arrest for convicted offenders, stating that such a move would constitute selective imprisonment.
In a statement today, Voon emphasised that implementing house arrest would create discrimination against other offenders whom the court may refuse this privilege.
“The government has to look at the constitutionality of such house arrest because the law should not allow unfair or prejudicial treatment of people.
“All should be treated equally and the same irrespective of race, colour, creed or religion,” he said.
Voon expressed his belief that solving the issue of prison overcrowding is the government’s responsibility and urged against taking any shortcuts to address the problem.
Voon also urged the government to get rid of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA), which is not only a draconian law but also prohibits bail pending trial in many cases.
“SOSMA allows suspects or accused to be detained in prison pending trial of their crimes. This could cause overcrowding of prisons.”
He opined that house arrest could perhaps be suitable for accused waiting for trial of their cases.
“In this way, overcrowding in prison could be reduced because jail space could be reserved for convicted criminals and dangerous and untrustworthy defendants,” he said.
Voon prompted with these remarks after it was reported by Bernama yesterday that Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had slammed a report that claimed the implementation of the Licensed Prisoner Release Programme (PBSL) through house arrest was an effort to free former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. — DayakDaily
