KOTA KINABALU: The Home Ministry is still considering the transfer of foreign prisoners in Malaysian jails to their country of origin to relieve prison congestion.
Home Ministry deputy chief secretary (Security) Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohd Radzi said although such a move was appropriate, negotiation had not been achieved as Malaysia did not have such legislation yet.
“Negotiation with other countries is still pending as we do not have the legislation so we will follow up on this matter.
“As far as Malaysia is concerned, we have foreign prisoners who would be eligible for the International Transfer of Prisoners Programme but at the same time, we have to have cooperation from the said country, and such matters involve lots of legislation from our side and vice versa,” he said at the excellent service award presentation at the state prison in Kepayan here yesterday.
Also present were Malaysia Prison director-general Datuk Wira Haji Zulkifli Omar and Malaysia Prison deputy director-general (Management) Wan Abdul Rahman Abdullah.
Abdul Rahim said the basis of the programme was to relieve congestion in Malaysian jails as the number of foreign prisoners exceeded local prisoners.
He said there were a number of countries that had their own legislation which permitted them to establish cooperation with other countries.
“We have identified a few countries but we will look at the merit of the cooperation because what is important to us is the nationality of the foreign prisoners.
“If they are many of them from the same country, then we would establish cooperation with that country.
“We have to also look at our nationals who are being jailed in foreign countries and try to negotiate a win-win situation to bring them back,” he said.