BRUNEI-MUARA: The Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) concept should be instilled within the society to promote cooperation in the care of former prison inmates. The rate of recidivism in the country is approximately 36 per cent in the last three years, ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.
The figure raises concern where a local study in 2010 showed that ex-prisoners has a tendency to repeat their mistakes due to financial problems and poor support from families and less job opportunities. Therefore, as the Attorney-General as a Member of the Malay Islamic Monarchy Executive Council pointed out, support from the family and the society is important as it acts as a source of strength for ex-prisoners.
The Attorney-General, Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Paduka Hajah Hayati binti Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohamad Salleh, made the emphasis during opening ceremony of the Seminar on Malay Islamic Monarchy Rehabilitation and Supervision: The Basis of Integration,” in conjunction with the Prisons Department’s 61st Anniversary.
Yang Berhormat Datin expressed confidence that the understanding on the importance of the rehabilitation and supervision service can minimise the social stigma and perception of today’s community towards former inmates. Yang Berhormat also took the opportunity to propose for the Prisons Department to consider a suitable method in handling female inmates especially those with babies who still need breastfeeding.
Yang Berhormat Datin knew of a certain country with the best practice for such inmates that has been successful in inspiring the inmates towards change and not to repeat their past mistakes for the continued well-being of their innocent babies.
Yang Berhormat Dain also noted that the Prisons Department has planned to set a new curriculum to former inmates during their rehabilitation process to provide them with the skills in line with current job market requirements.
Among those present were Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohamad Yussof, Acting Minister of Home Affair. At this ceremony, the Premier Paper entitled, “Malay Islamic Monarchy Values – the Basis of Integration In Tackling Prisoners and Rehabilitation Issues,” was presented by Associate Professor Dr. Awang Haji Hashim bin Haji Abdul Hamid, a Member of the M.I.B. Executive Council’s Secretariat.
The Premier Paper among other things, stressed the importance of the community’s care for the well-being of the ex-inmates who have returned to the society based on the M.I.B. concept. This is because the role of the concept itself serves as a remedy for the community or social problems. The two-day seminar targets government agencies, members of the community, private sector, the relevant non-government organisations and stakeholders.