KAJANG: THE blessings of Ramadan must have descended upon a Kajang Prison inmate after his wish to spend Hari Raya Aidilfitri with his family at their home in Rawang was granted.
Mohamad (not his real name), 36, was among two Kajang Prison inmates released for seven days beginning yesterday under the release of prisoners on licence programme.
They were temporarily released under Section 43 of the Prisons Act 1995, which allows inmates to be released, under certain conditions, to work or further their their studies.
“Alhamdulillah, I am thankful to all parties, especially the Prisons Department in Kajang, for allowing me to return home and celebrate Hari Raya with my family.
“I cannot wait to break fast with my family later today (yesterday). I am looking forward to attending the special prayers in conjunction with Hari Raya and later, feast on ‘ketupat palas’ prepared by my mother tomorrow (today),” said Mohamad, who was clad in a grey baju Melayu and sampin at the Kajang Prison complex.
Present were Selangor Prisons Department director Abd Kadir Rais and Kajang Prison deputy director S.M. Basakaran.
Also in attendance were Mohamad’s parents and his fiancee.
The other inmate of Chinese descent from Johor is expected to be released later.
With another nine months to complete his jail sentence, Mohamad said he wanted to use his short leave to search for job opportunities.
“I am a changed man and want to give back to my family, who have continued to encourage me and have never failed to visit me every fortnight for the past seven years,” he said.
Mohamad, who completed his degree in Political Science from Universiti Malaya while in prison, has plans for the future, once he has completed his sentence.
“I have applied to Universiti Sains Malaysia for the Masters of Social Science in Criminology programme.
“I have learnt that in other parts of the world, there is this movement by criminologists, among them ex-convicts, called the ‘convict criminology’ to give a balanced perspective and experience to prisoners.
“I want to be the pioneer of the movement here.”
Kadir said support from family members was crucial to help inmates turn over a new leaf.
“Support from the community is equally important as inmates deserve a second chance in life.”