Zahid denies double standards with Anwar, says no house arrest

PARLIAMENT Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied claims there is "double standards" in the granting of parole to former Selangor menteri besar Mohamed Khir Toyo and denying requests for jailed former Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to be placed under house arrest.

In a parliamentary written reply to Sim Tze Tzin (PKR-Bayan Baru), Zahid said the perception was inaccurate as there is a difference between early release under parole and putting a prisoner under house arrest.

"As with the consideration given to all prisoners, the Parole Board's main consideration for someone to be granted parole is based on the type of offence, progress of rehabilitation and duration of sentence.

"For Khir Toyo, based on his progress and prison records, the Parole Board found that he has reached a satisfactory level of rehabilitation, aside from fulfilling the criteria to be granted parole," said Zahid who is also home minister.

Khir was granted parole on March 29 after serving six months in Kajang Prison for using his position to obtain land and a bungalow here, nine years ago.

His remaining sentence was served at his family's house in Shah Alam, and among the conditions imposed were that he was not allowed to speak to the press.

Under the parole system, the prisoner will serve his remaining sentence outside the prison and live with his family while under the supervision of a parole officer.

'No house arrest law'

In his reply to Sim, Zahid also reiterated that no prisoner in Malaysia has been placed under house arrest without being granted parole first.

"Therefore it is not appropriate to sum up the situation as being a sign of double standards (against Anwar)," he added.

In March, the Home Ministry in a statement had clarified that sodomy offences would not qualify for parole, as listed under the Fourth Schedule of the Prisons Act 1995.- Mkini