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.
