The CSO Platform for Reform said these were necessary to curb preferential treatment for incarcerated high-profile individuals, including former prime minister Najib Razak.

“Develop comprehensive guidelines that outline who qualifies for house arrest and under what conditions.

“Making these guidelines publicly available will help ensure accountability and maintain public trust in the justice system, ensuring that justice serves all and not a select privileged group,” it said in a statement.

The group also called on the government to rope in civil society organisations in discussions about the bill, which is set to be tabled next year.

“Incorporating diverse perspectives can help refine the legislation to better serve justice and address public concerns.”

It added that Putrajaya needed to clearly communicate the implications of the proposed law so that Malaysians understood its scope and objectives.

The group said this could be done through public forums and allowing access to documentation that outlined its provisions and criteria.

In his 2025 budget speech, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government would draft a new Act allowing house arrest as an alternative punishment for certain offences.

Under this proposed law, offenders will be required to remain in designated locations, such as their homes or care centres, for the duration of their sentences.

Unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil had maintained that the bill had nothing to do with Najib, who is serving his reduced six-year sentence in the SRC International case.

Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail also said the proposed law was aimed at giving a second chance to first-time offenders and convicts such as a poor single mother jailed for stealing milk out of desperation.

An academic had called for the bill to exclude anyone convicted in cases that were of public interest.