IPOH: The Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) and state Prisons Department are collaborating in initiatives to support inmates upon their release.
Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah said the collaboration has been approved to allow those who have been released to begin a new chapter in life.
"We have instructed the Mufti to examine whether or not inmates, upon their release from prison, fall within any eligible asnaf categories for zakat assistance, thereby enabling them to begin a new chapter in life," His Royal Highness said here on Thursday (Dec 18).
"We have further directed MAIPk to explore funding mechanisms that will equip released inmates with suitable vocational skills, allowing them to reintegrate swiftly and productively into society.
"Former inmates have endured arrest by the police, judicial proceedings by the court, and incarceration under the prison authorities.
"In our view, there must be an entity that provides structured and compassionate attention to individuals who have completed their sentences," he said, adding that MAIPk was well-positioned to play a constructive role in helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.
His Royal Highness had remarked this during the presentatition of instruments of appointment to MAIPk committee members for the 2026-27 term, Syariah Court judges, and Mosque Consultative Council members at the Royal Perak Golf Club here.
Sultan Nazrin also said the state Prisons Department and MAIPk have pioneered a high-impact Islamic correctional model at the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre and Tapah Prison.
He said a dedicated tahfiz was launched at the Batu Gajah Women’s Correctional Centre in January and that seven participants have enrolled.
"One of them has already memorised six parts of the Quran.
"In February, a Quran memorisation programme was introduced at Tapah Prison, attracting 18 participants, several of whom have memorised up to three parts.
"These initiatives are funded through wakaf (Islamic endowment) and zakat (almsgiving) allocations, enabling the provision of fittings, learning facilities and qualified teachers, as well as welfare assistance.
"Their objective is to deliver holistic rehabilitation that nurtures physical, emotional, intellectual, and moral development.
"Both programmes have received strong support and yielded highly encouraging outcomes," Sultan Nazrin added.
