KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said today that any policies he introduces will be based on relevant facts and data.
During the Naratif Khas programme on Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), he stressed the importance of data analysis and predictive models in the formulation of policies.
“I am committed to basing the introduction of any new recommendation, improvement, approach, or policy on data,” he said.
He used the example of the Immigration Department and National Registration Department (NRD) under his ministry and their interconnectivity.
He said the data showed that passport application requests increase by as much as four times during school holidays, causing congestion and delays that were upsetting to the clients.
Such issues also create the misconception that passport issuance was inefficient, he said before adding that online processing would also alleviate the congestion.
“We are given a more accurate perspective when we analyse the relevant data,” he said.
Aside from that, he said that a balance must be found when it comes to legislation on crimes to ensure decisions were effective instead of reactive.
Saifuddin said that while it was important to preserve principles of universal justice and to uphold the judicial process, it was necessary to ensure available laws could effectively deal with crimes and offences in the country.
“My point earlier is on how to achieve balance in this matter and I have said that I am open to receiving any other views.
“But at the same time, I will exercise my duties according to the laws and powers that are provided to a home minister,” he said.
He did not specify the laws in question but was likely referring to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act or Sosma preventive detention law for which he was criticised for defending yesterday.
