235TH PRISON DAY CELEBRATION IN PENANG ON MAY 17

KAJANG, April 17 (Bernama) -- The 235th Prison Day celebration will take place at Padang Kota in Penang on May 17, said Prisons commissioner-general Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak.

He said the selection of Penang as the venue for this year’s celebration was significant, as the event would showcase the department’s evolution in operating prisons from before independence to the present day.

“This year’s celebration will allow us to reflect on how this institution began serving to house prison inmates in a humane manner.

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“The 235-year evolution is a long process, and I hope that with this celebration, the public will gain insight into the role of prisons in isolating prospects (prisoners) before they are reintegrated into society,” he told reporters at a Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at the Kajang Prison Complex here today.

Also present was Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman.

In another development, Abdul Aziz emphasised that the security arrangements for former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the National Mosque, where he paid his last respects to the late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, were in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

“We comply (with the SOPs), as each category of prospect carries its own level of risk. As such, we must ensure the safety of the prospect is guaranteed,” he said, adding that the security control should not be regarded as harsh, as it was implemented to strengthen safety measures for the prospect.

The media had earlier reported that Najib was granted permission by the High Court to pay his last respects to Tun Abdullah at the National Mosque. The country’s fifth prime minister died at the National Heart Institute last Monday at the age of 85.

--BERNAMA