'Light Behind Bars’ Programme Offers Second Chance To Inmates

BANGI, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- The ‘Sinar di Sebalik Tirai Besi’ (Light Behind Bars) programme demonstrates the MADANI Government’s commitment to giving inmates a second chance to rebuild their lives after serving their sentences.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the programme also helps reduce the country’s reliance on foreign workers in the public cleansing sector.

“So far, 1,100 ‘graduates’ have completed the programme. The government believes every individual deserves a second chance,” he said after officiating the Fourth Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Convocation Ceremony here today.

Also present was Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) chief executive officer Khalid Mohamed.

Nga said under the programme, a collaboration between SWCorp, the Department of Skills Development and the Malaysian Prisons Department, participants received a monthly allowance of RM500 and recognised skills certification.

Those who completed SKM Level 2 are eligible to apply for jobs with concession companies or local authorities (PBTs).

“The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) will continue to spearhead efforts to train more inmates into skilled workers, in line with the national vision of producing graduates in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET),” he said.

At the convocation, 243 inmates received SKM Level 2 in Manual Public Cleaning Operations after eight months of training at 18 prison industrial vocational centres nationwide. Five SWCorp officers also received SKM Level 3 in Executive Corporate Secretary through Recognition of Prior Achievement.

Meanwhile, Nga called on all PBTs to settle their debts to SWCorp to ensure sustainable operations and quality public cleaning services.

He noted that outstanding debts, which once totalled around RM500 million, have been reduced to approximately RM200 million through proactive efforts, and warned that KPKT will take stronger action to recover the remainder.

On the MyKiosk programme, Nga said investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission confirmed there were no elements of power abuse or mismanagement in its implementation.

“The programme has proven effective, achieving a 95 per cent occupancy rate as of September. The remaining five per cent will be relocated to more suitable locations.

“KPKT will also introduce MyKiosk 3.0 with a more attractive, solar-friendly and competitive design,” he said.

So far, some 7,000 families, especially from the B40 group, as well as small traders and hawkers, have benefited from the initiative.

-- BERNAMA