Zahid: Plan underway to segregate convicted terrorists from other inmates

JOHOR BARU: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Home Ministry is working on a plan to segregate convicted terrorists from other inmates in the prison.
Zahid said the process of categorsing convicts was imperative in the re-redicalisation effort.
He said this at the 227th Malaysia Prison Day and National Anti-Drug Day at the Simpang Rengam prison, today.
The Home Ministry has submitted application for a new prison plan in the 2018 Third Rolling Plan of the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).
Convicts under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) and Prevention of Crime Act (Poca) are to be placed under the proposed new prison.
Zahid also revealed that 48% of the inmates in the national prison were drug offenders, and added that the focus of the anti-drug programs will be more on building positive internal mental strength through religion and love sharing activities.
"Let's give them (former drug addicts ) a second chance, and accept them when they leave the prison," he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister said, the criminal recidivism rate in Malaysia is below 9%, which is lower than in some developed countries.
He said: "Our rate of recidivism was 8.59% for 2016, the achievement is recognised by the international community."