First prisoner orchestra in Malaysia
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysia Music Training College (MMTC) has collaborated with the Sabah Prisons Department to create an orchestra comprising inmates from the Central Prison in Kota Kinabalu.
It is the first prisoner orchestra in Malaysia.
MMTC chief executive officer Peter Chua said the first phase of orchestra was launched this year with 24 inmates from the Integrity School of the Central Prison performing at the awards ceremony.
He disclosed this at the Prisons Department award presentation ceremony.
Peter was one of the five Board of Visiting Justices (BVJ) for Prisons and 22 Prisons Department personnel who received the Commissioner General of Prisons Class 1 and 2 medal as well as the long service ‘Pingat Jasa Penjara’ award in recognition of their contributions to the Prisons Department.
The other BVJ are Sabah member Datuk Katherine Lee Mei Oi, JP, Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court Judge Ainul Sharin Bte Mohamad, Beaufort District Officer Haji Sahid bin Haji Othman and Kota Belud District Officer Abdul Gani bin Itam.
They shared their respective work experiences in enhancing the successful implementation of the department’s programs during the recent awards presentation ceremony here.
Meanwhile, Director of Sabah Prisons and the Federal Territory of Labuan Haji Suria bin Haji Idris was awarded the Pingkat Jasa Penjara.
The awards were presented by the Prison Commissioner-General Dato’ Sri Zulkifli Omar, who is also the Director-General of the Prisons Department Malaysia, who officiated at the ceremony at the Kota Kinabalu Central Prisons.
In sharing her experience, Katherine who was first appointed to the BVJ in 2006, said as a member of the board it was not just about discharging a duty and responsibility.
“It is also a very good learning experience to deal with the inmates.
“It also enabled me to foster good rapport and working relationship with the directors, officers and staff of the Prisons Department and the Henry Gurney School for the common goal of looking at inmates with a heart of compassion and understanding by implementing programs that help them for a second chance in life after their release from prison or school. To me, everyone is entitled to a second chance or even more for some,” she said.
She added that there were many hidden talents among the inmates or detainees and with the programs by the Prisons Department of Malaysia, their talents have been discovered and encouraged like music, cooking, baking, tailoring and carpentry. others, which will eventually help them to move on with a career and work.
“It is sad but a reality, that inmates carry a stigma, and they will find it difficult to start afresh after their release, but with the understanding and cooperation of our society, this will indeed help to give them an initial start.
“We need to look at the inmates’ problems as not just their problems, but also society’s problems, because if we want to live in a society with lower crime, we need to look at the bigger picture and beyond their past – to give them hope and opportunity.
“When they are released, they will have a job and a house to go home to. The mindset of society must be changed. If the inmates, after their release are unable to find a job to sustain themselves, they may have no choice but to resort to crime again and become recidivists.
“So, I strongly encourage the society we live in to give them job opportunities to start a new and healthy life. We, in society have a part to play in paving a way for a safer society for all. Don’t just leave this to the government.
“With the good cooperation of the Prisons Department, I am very happy that eight inmates, of which one was a female, with the longest inmate being detained for 25 years, under the pleasure of the Head of State pursuant to Section 97(2) of the Child Act 2001, were released in December 2015, upon the recommendation for their early release by the BVJ,” she said.
During the event, Katherine also donated air-conditioners and other items as part of her community social responsiblity (CSR).
MMTC also presented an upright piano to the Central Prison.
“Music is a helpful tool to rehabilitate inmates and inmates may be trained as certified musicians and music educators. Engaging in music is also a process of rehabilitation and social reintegration of prisoners, prior to release,” said Peter.