Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the amendment to Poca 1959 (Act 297) was aimed at streamlining and improving the implementation and enforcement of the provision with regard to the use of the electronic monitoring device (EMD) on persons under surveillance.
In line with the amendment, the Second Schedule of Act 297 has included new offences where the EMD could be used.
“This amendment will enable the police to take more effective preventive measures against those who commit offences listed under the amended Second Schedule,” Zahid, who is also home minister, said in a statement here today.
He said under Section 22 of Act 297, the Prevention of Crime (Amendment of Second Schedule) Order 2017 and the Prevention of Crime (Amendment of Third Schedule) 2017 would also be enforced tomorrow.
At the launch of his book, “Poca: Nafas Baharu Banteras Jenayah” in August, Zahid said the amendment was to implement the use of EMD on persons under surveillance and reduce the cost of placing detainees in prison, besides preventing recidivism among detainees and potential offenders from committing crimes.