Kuala Lampur, Sept. 19 -- House arrest is not a get-out-of-jail free card.

That is why, as I wrote in Conditions for Najib's house arrest to reflect govt's resolve to fight corruption and abuse of power, Najib remains a prisoner, but serving his prison sentence under house arrest.

House arrest is not provided by law in Malaysia. But it can be enforced under the existing provisions of the Prison Act 1995 (Act 537).

First, since under Section 2 of the Act defines "prison" as "any house, building, enclosure or place, or any part thereof, declared to be a prison under Section 3", the place or any part of it where the former prime minister is to serve his house arrest can be declared a prison.

Section 3 of the Act empowers the Home Ministe...