40 per cent of individuals use their passport for travel

SHAH ALAM - Only 40 per cent of 2.8 million passports released by the Immigration Department post Covid-19 are used for immediate travel.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the remaining 60 per cent did not use ther passports for travel

"The applications have increased fourfold since the movement control order (MCO).

"It can be done online and when the passport is released the data shows 40 per cent for have used their passports for travel with 60 per cent just keeping their passports ," he said

On another matter, Saifuddin also mentioned that the parole system under Section 43 of the Prison Act would potentially be able to reduce the number of returning prisoners.

He said out of 800 inmates released with that method, only one returned to prison.

"When they spend two- thirds of their time outside and only one third in prison, the method works and this is great news," he said.

Saifuddin added currently there were 39 prisons in the country with a capacity of 65,000 inmates, but they are now 70,000 inmates.

"Section 43 of the Prison Act could enable those sentenced to less than three years to be released on parole.

"Under the act the individual sentenced can stay at home and lead a normal life under a licensed release order.

"We are managing more time for them to be outside as allowed in certain acts for this category, the Prison Act and mandatory attendance act has been found to bring a positive impact," he said.