NILAM Reading Programme To Be Expanded To Prisons Nationwide In Two Years

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) plans to implement the Nadi Ilmu Amalan Membaca (NILAM) reading programme in all 42 prisons nationwide within two years, in an effort to cultivate the reading habit among inmates.

Its deputy president, Prof Dr Adi Anuar Azmin said the project will be carried out in collaboration with the Malaysian Prisons Department and is currently being implemented in five prisons.

“The pilot project is underway at Penang Prison. The Penang Prison has been chosen for the pilot project because it is the oldest prison in Malaysia. Later, it (project) will be extended to the Seberang Perai Prison here, and Pokok Sena and Sungai Petani prisons in Kedah, as well as the Johor Bahru Prison in Johor.

“The NILAM programme is a MADANI society initiative to encourage inmates to embrace reading, writing summaries, and appreciating moral values through the reading materials provided,” he told reporters after officiating the Maulidur Rasul celebration and the launch of the NILAM programme at Penang Prison today.

Also present was Penang Prison director Zool Fadli Ismail.

Adi Anuar said YADIM has contributed about 1,500 books to Penang Prison with the support of prison officers and staff, who also donated reading materials. The programme will be extended to other prisons with a ratio of three times the number of books compared to inmates, to ensure adequate reading materials.

He said the NILAM programme was proposed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in line with the MADANI concept, which emphasises reading, cultivating moral values and good character.

YADIM makes monthly visits to prisons to engage with inmates, and the feedback received has been positive. Many have begun to read and started writing, including penning novels and travelogues based on their life experiences.

Meanwhile, Zool Fadli said the prison staff, inmates’ families, and the public are also encouraged to donate books for the benefit of Penang Prison inmates.

He also said the inmates involved in the programme will read the books, prepare summaries, and deliver brief presentations to fellow inmates and the evaluation committee.

“At the end of the programme, assessments will be based on comprehension and appreciation of the reading material. The best inmates will receive recognition and rewards from YADIM as encouragement.

“Alhamdulillah, so far at Penang Prison, we have placed books in the residential blocks so inmates can easily access them. They can read either in their cells or common areas of their prison blocks,” he added.

-- BERNAMA