Conference to enhance, transform correctional services — Saifuddin
LANGKAWI: The first ASEAN Regional Correctional Conference (ARCC) is a platform to enhance and transform correctional services within our nation, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said the conference, themed ‘Transforming Corrections’ and hosted by the Prisons Department, initiated in-depth discussions centred around the pragmatic theme that remains pertinent in Malaysia’s correctional services.
“This conference, which takes place at a time of transformation of the correctional system of Malaysia, undoubtedly will make a modest contribution not only to the development of the Prisons Department of Malaysia but also further enhance our regional cooperation,” he said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the ARCC at the Correctional Academy of Malaysia here Monday.
He said many countries, including Malaysia, have allocated resources to address challenges such as prison overcrowding and outdated prison structures.
He added that the emerging challenges necessitated a deepened cooperation to explore innovative solutions, refine correctional methods and leverage new technologies, aimed at enhancing the quality of correctional services.
“The ARCC is the venue for participants to engage (in) and discuss efforts to address the emerging challenges in correctional administrations in this region. “These challenges require better collaboration among the relevant agencies in the region to formulate a solution to improve correctional technologies... to enhance the quality of correctional services,” he said.
The ARCC participants included high-ranking officers of prisons and correctional services from nine ASEAN countries, namely Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos and Malaysia.