A bipartisan group of MPs said the federal government has no reason not to address the prison overcrowding, which has contributed to the spread of Covid-19, once it has emergency powers. 

In a statement today, the All Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia for the Reform of All Places of Detention (APPGM) said the immediate release of eligible, non-violent prisoners was a vital step in the battle against the pandemic.

The group argued that this will help reduce prison Covid-19 clusters and adjacent community clusters, citing that "prison health is public health".

"The executive, now having full control and responsibility, must immediately initiate the collaboration between all relevant ministries, agencies, public health experts and civil society representatives to provide the Prisons Department...