Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Half-time imprisonment should be right for all, says Amanah chief
Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu has called for legislation to make half-time prison sentences a standard option rather than a privilege granted to select inmates.
LSN Malaysia ·
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 — Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, president of Parti Amanah Negara, has urged the government to establish a formal legal framework allowing prisoners to serve portions of their sentences at home rather than in custody.
The proposal aims to transform what is currently an ad-hoc arrangement into a standardized policy accessible to qualifying inmates. Sabu emphasised that such arrangements should be based on established criteria rather than discretionary decisions that may favour certain prisoners over others.
Half-time imprisonment schemes, also known as split or part-time custodial sentences, allow offenders to divide their sentence between prison and community-based supervision. Proponents argue such arrangements can facilitate rehabilitation, reduce prison overcrowding, and enable inmates to maintain employment and family ties during their sentences.
Sabu's remarks reflect broader discussions within Malaysia's criminal justice system about modernising sentencing options and ensuring equitable treatment of prisoners. The proposal would require legislative changes to establish eligibility criteria and oversight mechanisms for such arrangements.
The call comes amid ongoing debates about prison reform and the effectiveness of various rehabilitative approaches within Malaysia's correctional services.