A lifeline is all they ask for

A clean slate: Yokendhan hopes to be given a second chance so he can earn a living. — THOMAS YONG/The Star

JOHOR BARU: S. Yokendhan has been in and out of prison at least five times since he was 17, for gangsterism, fights and extortion.

He’s now 42 and no longer runs with his old friends. He has suffered a stroke, which has left him with health issues.

All he wants is a job so he can live a “clean” life like most other people.

However, that is not happening. Yokendhan is learning a harsh lesson: that society is not so forgiving.

There could be hope for him though under the government’s initiative to encourage employers to hire vulnerable groups like ex-convicts through the Social Security Organisation (Socso).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when retabling Budget 2023 last month, said incentives of up to RM600 per month would be provided for three months by Sosco to employers who hire those from vulnerable groups like persons with disabilities (PwD), ex-convicts, the homeless and the hardcore unemployed.

Yokendhan said this was a good start, but the more important thing was to erase the stigma of being an ex-convict.

“We made mistakes in the past, but we have served our sentences,” he said.

Yokendhan said that when he was 17, he got his first job working for a man who ran an illegal gambling ring.

“My job was to go after those who failed to settle their gambling debts,” he said.

“Each time after getting out of prison, I would go back to the job as it was the only thing I knew how to do and the only place that would accept me.

“I last went to prison in 2019, right after my mother died. I told myself that I would turn over a new leaf,” he said.

However, no one in his hometown of Penang would hire him.

“I decided to go to Johor as I believed there were better opportunities there.

“After a few months of trying, I got a job as a security officer at a hospital. I was extremely happy.”

That happiness, however, was abruptly cut short.

“After just 19 days, I was sacked when my employer found out that I had a criminal record,” he said.

More rejections followed until he finally landed a job, again as a security officer, with an employer who was willing to look past his records.

This time, disaster struck.

“After just four months, I suffered a minor stroke and was hospitalised for a few weeks. I was later sent to a welfare home, where I am now.

“I have recovered, but I have other health issues. I hope to regain my strength in a few weeks. Hopefully, I can get a job after that,” he said.

Another ex-convict, who only wanted to be known as Alex, 41, hopes the Sosco incentive will give those who have been to prison a second chance.

“I really hope it will make a difference. I have served my sentence, but many are still not willing to give me a second chance.

“Employers don’t trust former convicts and don’t believe we can change,” said Alex, who also faced many rejections for a year before finally getting a job as a security officer.

Johor Baru Shechinah Association president James Issachar, who runs a halfway house for former convicts, addicts and alcoholics, feels the initiative could have an impact.

“There are some employers who are willing to give ex-convicts a second chance, but many are still hesitant. Former convicts just need a chance to prove themselves.

“I hope this initiative will encourage more employers to give them another chance,” he said.