LICENSED RELEASE BRINGS JOY TO 102 INMATES AHEAD OF CHINESE NEW YEAR

NIBONG TEBAL, Feb 13 (Bernama) -- There was no greater joy for some inmates in the state than being able to reunite with their families to celebrate Chinese New Year after being selected for the licensed prisoner release programme today.

A Licensed Free Person (OBB) from Seberang Perai Prison, known only as Ah Heng, 56, said he could not wait to meet his wife and 17-year-old son after being informed of his early release.

Ah Heng, who was originally scheduled to be released in June, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate the festive occasion with his family after being imprisoned for the past six months for drug abuse. 

“Being imprisoned was a humbling experience. It made me reflect on my past mistakes. Previously, I acted without thinking about my wife’s and son’s feelings, but after being arrested and serving my sentence, I truly regretted my actions.

“I miss them and cannot wait to return home to celebrate the new year together,” he told reporters after being released under the MADANI Licensed Prisoner Release (PBSL) programme in conjunction with the Chinese New Year at Seberang Perai Prison in Jawi here today.

For Ah Chan, 64, who has been in and out of prison 12 times, he admitted that he has learned his lesson and is determined to use the second chance given to him to become a better person.

“I have tried to change many times before but failed. In prison, I met many others who were struggling with similar issues, and I also met someone who has now become a close friend.

“Today, we have been released together. I want to return to my child, and this time, I want to take proper care of him,” he said.

Another prospect, Azlan, 26, who has struggled with drug abuse since Form Three, admitted that he had long battled to change but is now determined to turn over a new leaf, to prove to his family, especially his second elder brother.

The youngest of four siblings said he no longer wanted to disappoint his parents, who have never given up on him despite being repeatedly hurt by his actions.

Meanwhile, Penang Prisons director Mahadzair Che Daud said 102 prospects were selected for release under the programme, comprising 67 from Seberang Perai Prison and 35 from Penang Prison.

He expressed hope that the second chance would help restore dignity, rebuild self-confidence and reunite families, while also calling for community support to ensure that they do not return to crime.

Mahadzair also recorded his appreciation to employers supporting the programme through the Corporate Smart Internship (CSI) initiative by providing job opportunities to OBBs, apart from the academic collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the Centre for Drug Research.

“In Penang, 32 employers are registered with Penang Prison for the CSI initiative to date, covering the manufacturing, agriculture and food sectors. We have received positive feedback from employers who are satisfied with the level of discipline and diligence shown by the prospects at work.

“In fact, some employers not only provide training but also offer permanent employment opportunities upon their release,” he said.

He added that the collaboration with USM, which began in July last year, has also helped in shaping the character and self-identity of prospects through various interventions, including group counselling, individual counselling and religious lectures throughout their community rehabilitation programme.

-- BERNAMA