Mohamed Hanipa wishes to see more prison inmates further their studies - New Straits Times Online

Mohamed Hanipa wishes to see more prison inmates further their studies - New Straits Times Online

SEBERANG PRAI: More prison inmates should be encouraged to further their studies until tertiary education.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Mohamed Hanipa Maidin said he was impressed by two inmates at the Seberang Prai Prison here who were currently pursuing their Master’s degree with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

Having met them during a visit to the prison, he said this should be taken as an example for others to follow.

"Prison is not like how it used to be... a place to punish the prisoners.

“Now, prisoners can pick up new skills, learn to play musical instruments and also study," he said.

His maiden visit was to acknowledge the efforts of the two inmates, Jep, 36, and Ken 35, who are currently doing their Masters while serving jail sentences.

Jep is doing his Master of Social Science degree programme while Ken is studying for the Master of Art (Management) degree programme.

At a press conference later, Hanipa said the two inmates were prime examples of how a person could turn over a new leaf and be brave enough to enter tertiary education despite being in prison.

Asked if the Federal government had plans to initiate a programme specifically for inmates to further their education, he said he had an idea which will be included in the ‘Unsung Heroes’ programme, to be presented to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed soon.

"We can use this as a platform to acknowledge the contributions of these ‘unsung heroes’," he said.

Speaking to the press, Jep said it was difficult for him to cope with the studies due to limitation of resources compared to students at the universities.

He, however, said that the facilities there were good enough, but there was still room for improvement.

"I will be released soon. So hopefully, I can further my studies at a more conducive environment.

"It is tough here but I am glad I am given the chance to further my studies," he said.

Ken, on the other hand, hopes the employers and the government can give them a second chance once they have served their term.

Ken, who was jailed on 2011, hoped that he would be accepted by the community and be able to take up jobs once he completed his studies.

"We hope the employers and government do not see us for our past. We gone through our difficult times here and regret our mistake.

"Now we want to come back to the society. Hopefully they will not judge us anymore," he said.

Also present was the prison's director Zulkifli Abd Manah.

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2020-01-13 08:18:00Z
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/01/556137/mohamed-hanipa-wishes-see-more-prison-inmates-further-their-studies
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