{
  "id": 6860953,
  "title": "[UPDATED] Sabah's Peter Anthony release: Prisons Department denies double standards",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/updated-sabahs-peter-anthony-release-prisons-department-denies-double",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T03:48:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1531080/updated-sabahs-peter-anthony-release-prisons-department-denies-double"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Prisons Department in Malaysia has refuted allegations of unfair treatment in the release of former Sabah infrastructure minister Datuk Peter Anthony through the Licensed Prisoner Release Programme (PBSL). The department clarified that Peter, like all PBSL applicants, underwent the same screening and assessment process as other prisoners. PBSL allows eligible prisoners to serve the remainder of their sentence in the community under supervision, and it is not a pardon or a reduction of the original court-imposed sentence. The programme is open to all eligible prisoners, regardless of their background or influence, and the release does not waive the remaining court-imposed sentence. The department emphasized that PBSL is a structured community rehabilitation program for those who meet the eligibility criteria, and prisoners released under the programme continue serving their sentences in the community, subject to conditions and monitoring. The issue gained attention recently amid discussions about former prime minister Najib Razak's pardon bid, with opposition parties accusing the government of applying double standards in granting pardons or releases to convicted individuals, particularly in high-profile cases.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The Prisons Department has denied claims of double standards in the release of former Sabah infrastructure minister Datuk Peter Anthony under the Licensed Prisoner Release Programme (PBSL).",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Sabah's Peter Anthony release: Prisons Department denies double standards",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/sabahs-peter-anthony-release-prisons-department-denies-double",
        "published": "2026-09-12T03:48:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "No special treatment in Peter Anthony’s release, says Prisons Department",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/no-special-treatment-in-peter-anthonys-release-says-prisons-department",
        "published": "2026-09-12T04:19:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "No double standards in Peter Anthony’s release, says prisons dept",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/no-double-standards-in-peter-anthonys-release-says-prisons-dept",
        "published": "2026-09-12T04:59:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}