COMMENT | “Don’t be ridiculous!” is what you would say. Why not? This is because on March 6, 2025, it was reported that Malaysia’s home minister could declare any place (including a house) as a “prison” under Section 3 of the Prisons Act 1995.

This was meant to - and did spark - a heated debate: Could the home minister use his discretion to incarcerate a prisoner at a luxurious residence? Could he declare a seven-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur - or even a property in Hat Yai, Thailand - as a “prison”?

The answer is simple: No.

Why not?