No special treatment in Peter Anthony’s release, says Prisons Department

The Malaysian Prisons Department clarified that former Sabah Infrastructure Minister Datuk Peter Anthony's release under the Licensed Prisoner Release Programme (PBSL) adhered to standard procedures without any sentence reduction.

Anthony met the eligibility criteria, including serving one-third of his sentence, and underwent rigorous assessment like other candidates.

Although released, he continues to serve his sentence under community supervision.

The department emphasized that individual status does not influence eligibility for PBSL, countering accusations of preferential treatment.

Anthony was initially sentenced to three years for document falsification related to a maintenance contract.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — Malaysia’s Prisons Department said the release of former Sabah Infrastructure Minister Datuk Peter Anthony under the Licensed Prisoner Release Programme (PBSL) was granted after he met the required eligibility period and underwent the same screening and assessment process as other prisoners considered for the programme.

In a statement issued today, the department stressed that PBSL was not a cancellation, reduction or shortening of a court-imposed sentence.

“Prisoners granted PBSL continue to serve the remainder of their sentences, but do so in the community, subject to the conditions, regulations, supervision and monitoring of the Malaysian Prisons Department,” it said.

“To be considered for participation in PBSL, a prisoner must first meet the eligibility requirements, including having served at least one-third of the sentence. However, serving this minimum period does not automatically qualify a prisoner for release under PBSL,” it added.

Each candidate undergoes screening and assessment based on their conduct and character in prison, rehabilitation progress, participation in human development programmes, readiness to return to the community, family support, housing suitability, employment prospects and post-release monitoring needs.

At headquarters, applications are reviewed by a PBSL committee chaired by the Commissioner-General of Prisons and comprising senior officers and representatives from relevant agencies.

“Regarding the release of former Sabah Infrastructure Minister Datuk Peter Anthony, the Prisons Department stresses that consideration for his participation in PBSL was made after he reached the prescribed eligibility period and underwent the screening and assessment process applied to other candidates considered for the programme,” it said.

The department added that Anthony’s release did not mean that the remainder of his sentence had been waived. He would continue serving the balance of his sentence in the community and remain subject to the conditions, regulations and monitoring imposed throughout the period.

“An individual’s status is not a criterion that provides an advantage or exemption from the prescribed eligibility and assessment process,” the department added.

Peter Anthony was sentenced to three years in prison and fined RM50,000 after being convicted of falsifying documents linked to a Universiti Malaysia Sabah maintenance contract.

His conviction and sentence were upheld on appeal, and he began serving his sentence in March 2025 before being released under PBSL in March 2026.

MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong accused Pakatan Harapan of applying double standards by demanding full sentences for high-profile offenders while remaining silent when former Sabah minister Peter Anthony was released on parole after serving about a year of his three-year sentence.

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马来西亚监狱局澄清，前沙巴州基础设施部长拿督彼得·安东尼根据持牌囚犯释放计划（PBSL）获释，符合标准程序，没有减刑。

安东尼符合资格标准，包括服刑三分之一，并像其他候选人一样接受了严格的评估。

虽然他已获释，但仍需在社区监管下服刑。

该部门强调，个人身份不会影响获得 PBSL 的资格，从而反驳了有关给予优惠待遇的指控。

安东尼最初因伪造与维修合同相关的文件而被判处三年监禁。

吉隆坡，9月12日讯——马来西亚监狱局表示，前沙巴州基础设施部长拿督彼得·安东尼根据“持照囚犯释放计划”（PBSL）获准释放，因为他符合规定的资格期限，并接受了与其他考虑参加该计划的囚犯相同的筛选和评估程序。

该部门今天发表声明强调，PBSL 不是取消、减少或缩短法院判处的刑罚。

声明称：“获得 PBSL 的囚犯将继续服完剩余刑期，但将在社区内服刑，并须遵守马来西亚监狱部门的条件、规定、监督和监控。”

“要符合参与PBSL计划的资格，囚犯必须首先满足资格要求，包括至少服刑三分之一的刑期。但是，服满这一最低刑期并不意味着囚犯自动符合PBSL的释放条件，”声明补充道。

每位候选人都要接受筛选和评估，评估依据包括其在监狱中的行为和品格、改造进展、参与人类发展计划的情况、重返社区的准备情况、家庭支持、住房适宜性、就业前景以及获释后的监测需求。

在总部，申请由监狱署署长担任主席的 PBSL 委员会进行审查，该委员会由高级官员和相关机构的代表组成。

“关于前沙巴基础设施部长拿督彼得·安东尼的释放，监狱部门强调，在他达到规定的资格期限并接受了适用于该计划其他候选人的筛选和评估程序后，才考虑让他参加沙巴监狱计划（PBSL）。”声明中写道。

该部门补充说，安东尼的获释并不意味着他剩余的刑期已被免除。他将继续在社区服完剩余刑期，并继续遵守在此期间施加的各项条件、规定和监督。

该部门补充说：“个人身份并非获得优势或豁免规定资格和评估程序的依据。”

彼得·安东尼因伪造与马来西亚沙巴大学维修合同相关的文件而被判处三年监禁并罚款 5 万令吉。

他的定罪和判决在上诉中得到维持，他于 2025 年 3 月开始服刑，并于 2026 年 3 月根据 PBSL 获得释放。

马华公会主席拿督斯里魏家祥指责希望联盟奉行双重标准，一方面要求对知名罪犯判处终身监禁，另一方面却对前沙巴州部长彼得·安东尼服刑约一年后获得假释保持沉默。

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