More than one reason to celebrate
HARI Raya Aidilfitri came early for Abdul (not his real name), who can now celebrate the festival with his wife and six children.

He was among 45 inmates in Penang who were granted early release from prison under the Licensed Release of Prisoners (PBSL) programme.

“I’m blessed to be chosen. I promise that I will repent and do good.

“The jail term has taught me a painful lesson and I’m so grateful for my family’s support,” he said at the Penang Remand Prison in Jalan Penjara.

Abdul, 45, was a driver before he was sentenced to 16 months’ jail for a drug offence committed in August last year.

His 43-year-old wife and children were among those present during a ceremony at the prison.

Under the PBSL programme, inmates sentenced to jail terms of four years and below are allowed to serve out their sentences under ‘home detention’.

During home detention, inmates are monitored to ensure good behaviour.

Fayrouz Agmad (right) interacting with inmates and their families.

Some even received employment offers for work while serving out their term.

Another inmate, a 30-year-old, said he could not wait to reunite with his family in Sibu, Sarawak.

He was jailed for nine months after being convicted of theft at a mobile phone shop in December last year.

“I was in debt with loan sharks due to a gambling habit while working in Penang.

“In desperation, I stole several phones from the shop where I worked and was caught by my employer.

“So far, I’ve settled about RM100,000 of my debts but I still have RM200,000 to pay off,” he said.

One of the prisoners reuniting with his family.

“My family has booked for me a flight ticket back to Sarawak once my home detention ends in August.”

Penang Prisons director Fayrouz Ahmad Zawawi, who was present, said the inmates aged between 25 and 60 were released under PBSL ahead of Hari Raya.

“The inmates were scheduled to be released between June and September.

“But after fulfilling certain criteria and due to their good behaviour, they were granted the opportunity to return home to be with their families.

“So far, 133 inmates in Penang have been released under PBSL this year,” he said.

PBSL, which was approved in October 2020, has to date seen the early release of 16,515 inmates who had met the stipulated criteria.
HARI Raya Aidilfitri came early for Abdul (not his real name), who can now celebrate the festival with his wife and six children.