He said the bill, aimed at reducing overcrowding in prisons, has already received approval at the policy level from the Cabinet, Bernama reported.

“The next step in the process is the preparation of an amendment matrix. The home ministry has to sit with the Attorney-General’s Chambers and once that is done, we will table it.

“The issue is the definition of ‘shackles’. One interpretation of ‘shackles’ is handcuffs, but I tend to interpret that as including various devices,” he was quoted as saying in the Dewan Rakyat today during his winding-up speech on Suhakam’s 2023 annual report and financial statements.

Once the language is clarified, Saifuddin said he would return the matter to the Cabinet to seek approval for the final amendments.

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.

According to Saifuddin, prisons nationwide currently house 83,808 inmates despite an official capacity of only 76,311.

He also told the Dewan Rakyat that much of the overcrowding stems from remand cases for minor drug offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Saifuddin said electronic tagging under house arrest is one of the solutions being explored to reduce remand-related congestion, which makes up 35% of the problem

Separately, Saifuddin said there must be better checks and balances in how the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) registers refugees in Malaysia.

“They handle everything themselves – from the interview and assessment to the issuance of the card. Are there government agencies to verify and cross-check?

“The answer is no, it is entirely up to UNHCR,” he said.