KUALA LUMPUR – The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) held a meeting with enforcement agencies to reduce the number of inmates in prison during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said in his Budget 2021 wind-up speech that the government has taken steps to reduce the number of people in custody.
Among the moves taken by Putrajaya to mitigate the number of incarcerated convicts include offering compounds for compoundable offences and including the length of time held in remanded custody as part of their sentence.
“Deputy public prosecutors are also requesting fines that those convicted can afford to pay to avoid them being imprisoned for failure to pay. The prosecutors can also inform the court about other alternatives to imprisonment that can be considered,” said Takiyuddin.
Possible alternatives are community service for young offenders under subparagraph 293 (1)(e)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Code, letting offenders off with a warning under Section 173A of the code, good behaviour bonds under Section 294 of the code; peace bonds under Section 67 of the code, and compulsory attendance under the Offenders Compulsory Attendance Act.
For minor offenses, violators will be let off under police bail without any charges brought against them. – The Vibes, November 23, 2020
