He said about 16,000 prisoners would be considered for these alternative forms of punishment, as part of reducing congestion in prisons and promoting community correction for inmates.

He said Malaysia has about 233 prisoners per 100,000 residents, a ratio which is 60.7% higher than the global average.

The minister also said probation and parole programmes must be implemented urgently in order to improve the nation’s image at the international level.

“The home ministry also agreed to formulate new lockup rules to replace the 1953 rules which have not been reviewed for 70 years.

“This is to ensure the human rights of detainees and improve the management of lockups to prevent untoward incidents such as custodial deaths,” he said.

The reforms will include health checks on all detainees thrown into lockup, installing CCTVs at all lockups and the setting up of a custodial health unit at all central lockups.

Saifuddin said a pilot project to relocate children held with their parents in immigration detention centres will be expanded to other locations across the country.

He said the additional locations to house detained children under the age of 10 will cost RM17.8 million.

In the pilot project at the immigration detention centre in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, a “Baitul Mahabbah” safe home was opened for 38 children including babies and 18 women who were the children’s carers.