MARANG: A year-long experience behind bars was enough to teach an inmate a lesson and deter him from repeating the same mistake, after being released under the Ihsan Madani Licensed Prisoner Release Programme (PBSL) on Thursday (May 21) in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha.
The 30-year-old, who wished to be known as Zakir, said he was originally supposed to serve a three-year sentence at Marang Prison for a sexual assault offence.
The fourth of five siblings said he did not expect to celebrate Aidiladha with his family this year and was surprised to be released early for good behaviour.
"I was admitted here on May 14, 2025, for a shameful offence. Life in prison is indeed harsh, but deeply sobering.
"Every day I counted the days and prayed to return to my parents. Alhamdulillah, I never expected to be released more than two years early. I was only informed yesterday, this is the most precious gift of my life,” he said when met at the PBSL Ihsan Madani programme at Marang Prison here on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Terengganu Prison director Mohamad Jusoh Ismail said 54 inmates were released under the PBSL Ihsan Madani programme on Thursday.
He said 50 prospects were released under the employment placement programme, while four others were allowed to return to their families.
"Under the employment placement programme, we place prospects at car wash centres, eateries and food manufacturing factories.
"Although they are placed under the employers’ supervision, parole officers at each district parole station will continue to monitor them to ensure there are no issues,” he said.
Jusoh said more than 1,000 prospects have been released through PBSL in Terengganu from early 2025 until Thursday.
He said of the total, only about 20 have returned to prison, indicating the effectiveness of the programme.- Bernama
