PUTRAJAYA, July 27 — The Home Ministry (KDN) will continue engaging stakeholders before retabling proposed amendments to the Prisons Act, which are intended to provide legal protection for prison officers acting in good faith, its minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said today.
He said the proposed amendments had been misunderstood by some parties, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and Members of Parliament, as an attempt to grant prison officers legal immunity.
"This amendment proposes legal protection for prison officers who act in good faith.
"We need to explain this concept more clearly because the general perception among the public, NGOs and even Members of Parliament is that this is an attempt by the Prisons Department to obtain legal immunity," he told a press conference after attending the Home Ministry's monthly assembly here.
The ministry had previously announced that the tabling of the Prisons (Amendment) Bill 2026 had been postponed to allow further scrutiny by a Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC).
Among the key proposals are the use of electronic monitoring devices to track selected prisoners, the establishment of a prison volunteer programme to support rehabilitation efforts, and legal protection for prison officers carrying out their duties in accordance with the Act.
Saifuddin stressed that the proposed amendments were not intended to grant legal immunity but to protect prison officers performing their duties in good faith.
"Many other Acts in our country contain similar provisions. The first reason is consistency, while the second is that there is absolutely no intention to seek legal immunity for prison officers," he said.
He cited the case of a prison director who was sued after carrying out a court-ordered caning sentence on an inmate who later died.
"In cases like this, I believe there is a need to amend the Prisons Act. There are also cases where inmates died in their sleep. Medical reports confirmed there was no foul play, yet prison officers were still sued," he said.
Saifuddin stressed that prison officers would remain subject to legal action in cases involving negligence or breaches of the law.
He cited the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia's (SUHAKAM) investigation into the Taiping Prison riot, which was followed by a police investigation and internal disciplinary action.
"A police investigation paper was opened, internal action was taken, and legal proceedings followed. This proves there has never been any intention to obtain immunity. Prison officers remain subject to legal action if negligence or violations occur," he said.
