3,000 former inmates to get second chance

PETALING JAYA – A large-scale effort to change the lives of thousands of former inmates is set to be launched, with plans to provide a second chance in various employment sectors for up to 3,000 individuals.

Datuk Seri Siti Murni Sheikh Ahmad, Chairman of the Pertubuhan Rakan Ghullam Kembali (Pergak), said this initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the Malaysian Prisons Department as a way to reduce recidivism in the country.

She stated that the initiative aims to give former inmates an opportunity to start a new life, while also reducing employers’ reliance on foreign labor.

“Malaysians should be given priority because many former inmates have no direction after being released. We provide early awareness and a place for them to stay so they don’t fall back into old habits,” she said.

Siti Murni made these remarks to the media after a visit to the J&T Alam Megah Management Centre and an observation of the rehabilitation program at the Ghullam Recovery Care Centre (GRCC).

Siti Murni also mentioned that Pergak runs industrial training programs in agriculture, carpentry, and hospitality through an agro-project and a campsite in Kampung Raja, Cameron Highlands, which is now 80% complete.

“We don’t just provide a place to live; we train them to be independent. We channel some to employers through the Prisons Department, while others we bring to our agricultural project to work and learn new skills,” she said.

According to her, over 10,000 former inmates have participated in their programs since 2019, with various success stories, including some who are now working abroad, becoming entrepreneurs, and reuniting with their families.

“We admit that not everyone succeeds; some fall back, but the number is small because the early awareness we provide has a positive impact,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Prisons Department is confident in its ability to meet the target of rehabilitating 8,500 inmates through job placements in the private sector by the end of this year.

Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons (Rehabilitation), Ahmad Faudzi Awang, said that so far, over 7,600 inmates have been placed outside of prison through various employment programs.

“We are confident that this target can be achieved earlier, especially with an expected 160 prospects to be placed in Seri Muda this September,” he said.

According to him, prospects who work outside not only adapt to society but also help lower the recidivism rate to just 0.28 percent.

“In addition to giving them a second chance, this program also reduces the government’s financial burden. Last year alone, placing 21,000 prospects outside of prison saved approximately RM29 million in food and management costs,” he said.

He added that nearly 700 employers have registered with the Prisons Department to offer job opportunities to prospects. A collaboration with the Social Security Organization (PERKESO) through the MyFutureJobs platform is also expected to provide 4,000 job opportunities by the end of 2025.

Ahmad Faudzi acknowledged that stigma against former inmates still exists among employers but hopes more parties will come forward to offer jobs. He noted that the government is studying special incentives for employers who hire this group, to be included in the 2026 Budget.