BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Setia Ahmaddin Abdul Rahman on Saturday (May 23) highlighted that following the signing of the International Transfer of Prisoners Treaty in Kuala Lumpur on August 3, 2023, the transfer of six Malaysian nationals serving sentences was successfully executed in August last year.
The initiative strengthens bilateral relations between Brunei and Malaysia while reflecting a shared commitment to safeguarding inmate welfare and enhancing the reintegration process into their home country.
He reminded officers and personnel of the Prisons Department to continuously uphold high standards of professionalism, discipline, accountability and integrity.
Speaking as the guest of honour at the 72nd Anniversary Celebration of the Prisons Department, the minister urged uniformed members to refrain from activities that could tarnish their personal reputation or that of the department.
He emphasised that the Ministry of Home Affairs will take firm and uncompromising action against any personnel found violating the law, abusing authority, engaging in misconduct, or compromising the image of the department.
The minister also revealed that a new Service Scheme for the Prisons Department involving a revised salary scale structure received the consent of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on September 17, 2025.
The revision marks a significant step towards strengthening human resource development by providing an open, structured, and progressive career pathway alongside a competitive remuneration structure aligned with the responsibilities, risks and workloads of the personnel.
As a government agency entrusted with national safety, the Prisons Department continues to implement rehabilitation programmes based on the concept of Desistance, focusing on helping individuals cease criminal behaviour and reintegrate into a positive lifestyle accepted by society.
The minister expressed confidence that these efforts require sustained commitment from department personnel as well as continuous cooperation from government agencies, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and families through a Whole of Government and Whole of Nation approach.
The rehabilitation initiatives include academic programmes conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, which recently enabled 32 local inmates to sit for the GCE ‘O’ Level examination to ensure access to knowledge continues behind prison walls.
To strengthen spiritual rehabilitation, the minister recommended reviewing the incentive scheme under the Tasmie’ Al-Quran Memorisation Programme – introduced in 2014 with Al-Quran Development and Learning Centre, the Informal Meeting of Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore (MABIMS), Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, and the Aftercare Support Association – to encourage wider inmate participation through a more structured training plan.
Vocational training has also expanded through cooperation with the Arts and Handicrafts Training Centre under the Office of His Majesty the Sultan.
A weaving programme aimed at preserving traditional handicraft heritage and preparing inmates for entrepreneurship currently has four participants.
The minister also appreciated private sector support for upskilling initiatives, noting that four local inmates completed a Rigger Skills Course, six completed a Scaffolding course, and a former inmate finished a Heavy Goods Transport programme shortly after release.
Furthermore, an agriculture and padi cultivation project conducted with the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam will be strengthened to support national food sector development.
The department also actively implemented community programmes across all four districts throughout 2025 involving Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan, Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, and the public to serve as a catalyst for inclusive rehabilitation.
The guest of honour presented the Prison Service Excellent Service Awards for 2026 and the Brunei Prison Self Defence badges.
Following the parade ground ceremony, the minister and guests inspected the padi inauguration site at Maraburong Prison Institution Phase III, visited a fruit plantation project site, and planted a Black Thorn durian tree. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
