IPOH: Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has dismissed reports suggesting that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will be placed under home detention as misleading and mischievous.
The Home Minister criticized the publishers for failing to consider the broader context of the matter.
“I have come across some misleading reports claiming that this License Release of Prisoners (PBSL) means Najib will be placed under home detention.
“They fail to see that PBSL is aimed at reducing overcrowding in prisons and applies to specific categories,” he stated during a press conference at Rumah Seri Kenangan in Ipoh on Monday (March 4).
ALSO READ: Govt agrees in principle to home detention for prisoners, says Saifuddin
“There is a panel that assesses the nature of the offenses covered under PBSL.
“Some individuals are approaching this issue from a narrow perspective,” he remarked.
During the weekend, Saifuddin announced that the government has tentatively approved the implementation of PBSL, which includes home detention for prisoners serving sentences of four years or less.
This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to alleviate prison overcrowding, he emphasized.
Najib, aged 70, is currently incarcerated after being found guilty of abuse of power, breach of trust, and money laundering related to RM42 million misappropriated from SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary. He was also imposed a hefty fine of RM210 million.
Recently, his prison sentence was reduced from 12 years to six by the Federal Territories Pardons Board, and the fine was lowered to RM50 million.
