Latest news with #RegistrationofCriminalsandUndesirablePersonsAct1969
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Proposed amendments to expunge minor offences from criminal records timely, says Lee Lam Thye
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's proposed amendments to the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act 1969, are a timely and progressive step towards a more rehabilitative justice system. Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the current approach of saddling individuals, particularly youths, with lifelong criminal records for minor and non-violent offences has long-term consequences that extend far beyond their initial sentence. "For far too long, individuals, especially young people convicted of minor and non-violent offences, have been burdened with lifelong criminal records that severely restrict their ability to reintegrate into society,' he said when contacted on Wednesday (July 30). The stigma, discrimination, and rejection that many former offenders face, especially when seeking employment, undermine both their rehabilitation and the country's efforts to reduce recidivism, Lee said. "Rehabilitation must mean more than just serving time; it must include the opportunity to start anew,' he added. He called on the government to include provisions for the expungement of criminal records for minor and non-violent offences in the proposed legislative amendments. He recommended a system where such records could be expunged after a period of three to five years of good behaviour following release. 'Such a move would be fair, compassionate, and aligned with the values of restorative justice,' Lee said. Beyond legislative reforms, Lee called on employers, particularly in the private sector, to play a more proactive role in reintegration efforts, stressing that employment is a critical factor in preventing repeat offences. 'If we truly believe in rehabilitation, we must remove the structural barriers that block it,' he said, while noting the importance of distinguishing between hardened criminals and those who simply made youthful or circumstantial mistakes. He also proposed several key reforms to accompany the amendments, including the introduction of clear, transparent guidelines for expungement, support services such as job placement and counselling, awareness campaigns to combat stigma, and public-private partnerships to create workplace reintegration programmes. 'In building a safer, fairer society, we must be tough on crime, but also compassionate towards those who seek redemption. 'We must not allow the past to define a person's future forever, especially when that person has paid their dues and is willing to change," he said.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Bosses willing to give minor offenders a chance
PETALING JAYA: Employers are all for employing individuals previously convicted of minor offences. But they also have some proposals for the government to consider before amending the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act 1969 (Act 7) to expunge the record of individuals convicted of non-violent or minor offences after a reasonable period. Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said such individuals deserve a second chance and with the right treatment and guidance, they could become assets to the nation. ALSO READ : Progressive shift towards rehabilitation 'It is our moral and social duty to help rehabilitate them into society,' he said. 'Employers are willing to give opportunities to these individuals. Nobody is perfect. 'Sometimes, due to circumstances and influence, people make mistakes.' Syed Hussain urged the government to work with the industry to train these groups. 'Making them industry-ready is important. We should use HRD Corp funds to identify and allocate resources to meet industry needs,' he said. Syed Hussain added that MEF is ready to work with the government to create such programmes and opportunities. SME Association president Dr Chin Chee Seong said the move to expunge records must not be done automatically. 'The question is not how long before the records are expunged but what kind of offences they were involved in,' he said. ALSO READ : Red tape blocks road to redemption Chin said it is also important to maintain some information even when the record is expunged so that employers know where to place their workers. For example, he said those involved in financial crime should not be placed in positions that involve money. He also proposed that an assessment period of three years be given to such employees. Based on the recommendation of employers, they should be allowed to expunge the records, Chin added. Recently, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the government is currently in the process of amending the Act. The Act serves as a legal authority to register individuals who have been convicted of offences listed in the First and Second Schedules of Act 7 in the criminal register. 'The proposed amendments have been agreed upon in principle by the Cabinet on May 21,' he said.
The Star
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Erasing record of non-violent or minor offences under study
AN amendment to expunge the record of individuals convicted of non-violent or minor offences after a reasonable period is being mulled, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said the ministry is currently in the process of amending the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act 1969 (Act 7). The Act serves as a legal authority to register individuals who have been convicted of offences listed in the First and Second Schedules of Act 7 in the criminal register. 'The proposed amendments have been agreed upon in principle by the Cabinet on May 21. 'Among them is the introduction of a 'spent' mechanism, allowing individuals who have not committed new offences within a reasonable period to be considered as having 'no record' in the criminal register,' he said. He was responding to a question by Wong Chen (PH-Subang) who had asked whether the government is considering erasing the records of those convicted for non-violent or minor offences. Saifuddin Nasution said the legal reform will provide a second chance to those previously convicted to enable them to pursue opportunities such as employment and further education.
The Star
24-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Home Ministry mulls striking out minor, non-violent offences from criminal record after set period
KUALA LUMPUR: An amendment to expunge individuals convicted for non-violent or minor offences after a reasonable period is being mulled, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. The Home Minister said that the ministry is currently in the process of amending the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act 1969 (Act 7). The Act serves as a legal authority to register individuals who have been convicted of offences listed in the First and Second Schedules of Act 7 in the criminal register. 'The proposed amendments have been agreed upon in principle by the Cabinet on May 21. 'Among the proposed amendments is the introduction of a "spent" mechanism, allowing individuals who do not commit new offences within a reasonable period to be considered as having 'no record' in the criminal register,' he said in a written parliamentary reply on Thursday (July 24). He was responding to a question by Wong Chen (PH-Subang) who had asked whether the government is considering erasing the criminal records of those convicted for non-violent or minor offences. Saifuddin said that the legal reform would provide a second chance for those previously recorded. He added that this would enable them to pursue opportunities such as employment and further education, both domestically and internationally. 'The process of amending this law will take into account the views of various stakeholders through ongoing and future engagement sessions before the proposed amendments are tabled in Parliament,' he added.
New Straits Times
23-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Govt mulls expunging minor criminal records
KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry is considering legal reforms that could allow individuals convicted of minor, non-violent offences to have their criminal records expunged after demonstrating good behaviour for a reasonable period following their release. In a written reply to Subang member of parliament Wong Chen, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the ministry is in the process of amending the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act 1969 (Act 7), which governs the listing of individuals convicted of offences in the criminal registry. He said the cabinet had agreed in principle to the proposed amendments on May 21 this year. "One of the key proposals is the introduction of a 'spent' mechanism, which allows individuals who do not commit any new offences within a reasonable timeframe to be considered as having no criminal record in the registry," Saifuddin said. "This move is aimed at giving deserving individuals a second chance at life, including opportunities to gain employment or pursue further education, whether locally or abroad," he added. He said stakeholder engagement sessions are ongoing and will continue to be held before the proposed amendments are tabled in parliament.
