PUTRAJAYA: Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah graced the Prisons Department 2023 Symphony of Love dinner tonight.
Her majesty was accompanied by her daughter Tengku Puteri Raja Tengku Puteri Jihan Azizah' Althiyatullah.
This charity event was organised in collaboration with the Prisons Department, the Malaysian Correctional Foundation, the National Prihatin Foundation and Association of Wife, Children and Women Members of Prisons Department (Persiap).
The charity event aims to gather contributions to support welfare initiatives.
The initiatives include aiding staff members, children with chronic illnesses, acknowledging academically outstanding children, addressing natural disasters, and implementing spiritual, sports, and social activities for the association.
It also serves as a gesture of gratitude to Her Majesty for providing opportunities and guidance to the staff and residents of the prison department, enabling them to excel in textile arts such as Royal Pahang weaving, songket, batik and crafts.
Present at the event were Home Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Ruji Ubi, Prisons Department Commissioner-General Datuk Nordin Muhamad and Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
At the event, Ruji said that Tuanku Azizah left an indelible mark on the evolution of skill training programmes, specifically in the realm of arts and crafts within the prison department.
"From 2012 to 2022, a total of 20,250 inmates have been certified with Malaysian Skills Certificate, Skills Competency Certificate in construction skills, and modular skills certificates.
"Starting with two weaving looms in 2006, there are now 115 weaving looms in the Penor and Bentong Prisons," he said in his speech.
Throughout the current year, he said 1,960 inmates are actively participating in various skill training programmes.
"The government approval of RM29.2 million (39 per cent) out of RM74.7 million for the 2020 to 2025 development project aims to enhance facilities and training equipment in the Royal Pahang Weaving Sales Gallery, Royal Pahang Weaving Training Complex in Penor Prison, and the Sarawak Songket Training Centre in Puncak Borneo Prison.
Highlighting the dedication of the department, he added, "This allocation is diligently pursued through collaborative efforts with partner agencies and the state government".