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Prison Dept denies claims prison life depends on money, influence
The Prison Department has denied claims by singer-composer Yasin Sulaiman that life in prison depends on money and influence.
Prison Department senior director of prison policy Rosidek Musa said the claim was untrue, as it has standard operating procedures (SOP) to handle misconduct or negative incidents among inmates...
The Prison Department has denied singer-composer Yasin Sulaiman's claim that life in prison depends on money and influence.
Prison Department senior director of prison policy Rosidek Musa said the claim was untrue, as it has standard operating procedures to handle misconduct or negative incidents among inmates.
“The claim is untrue. In the prison system, we focus on rehabilitation programmes and address negative occurrences.
“We admit certain incidents may happen, but not to the extent alleged. Many released from prison succeed in building new lives, so why focus on the negative aspects?” he asked.
Rosidek said this to reporters after the closing ceremony of the Prison Department Bookathon Programme 2026 at Pengkalan Chepa Prison today.
/file/publisher-c1a3f893382d2b2f8a9aa22a654d9c97/2024/08/68106b3401434d96dae553c9129ecdab.jpg "Former singer Muhammad Yasin Sulaiman with police 220824 reuploaded photo")
Earlier, Yasin (above) claimed during an episode of the "AididitMyWay" podcast that a hierarchy existed among inmates, including groups referred to as “boss” and “taiko”, while also alleging that drugs could be smuggled into prison if an individual possessed money and influence.
Rosidek said any misconduct is dealt with according to established rules and procedures and that SOPs are continually improved.
“We will address every infraction and take action according to set rules and procedures. Each year, we tighten our SOPs and review them step by step,” he added.
Overcrowding
Rosidek also said conditions at Pengkalan Chepa Prison remain under control, although overcrowding is still an issue the department is addressing.
“Conditions at Pengkalan Chepa Prison are under control because we have satellite prisons and inmate reintegration programmes allowing prisoners to work outside.
“We are working to overcome overcrowding to ensure proper inmate management, he said.
/file/publisher-c1a3f893382d2b2f8a9aa22a654d9c97/2024/04/59e37127e4d47789c79222913cc86af8.jpg "stock photos generic prison cell jail sentenced crime criminal 230424")
On the Bookathon programme, Rosidek said the department has received a donation of 10,000 books for inmates nationwide, excluding Sabah and Sarawak.
The programme, launched in February, was organised in collaboration with Boustead Holdings Berhad, Royale Chulan, and Syarikat Muda Osman Sdn Bhd (SMO) to encourage the public to donate new or used books for inmates.
“The donations comprise various reading materials, including motivational, fiction, and religious books, while SMO also offered a 20 percent discount on books purchased and donated through campaigns across its 31 outlets,” he added.
- Bernama
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If we are to believe the Prisons Department, then they have a lot of explaining to do with how Najib was and is being feted like a prince while in Kajang prison. Who is pressing his suits and crisp cotton shirts daily? Where does he store these , and his collection of designer ties in his prison cell? Why is he not being treated like other prisoners. Isn't the seeking of favor corruption too?
A "golden opportunity" has been presented to the Rakyat to get to know about prison life for the elite, the lesser elite and the Rakyat jelata. The Rakyat should bring all the rumours that they have heard and petition the authorities to be transparent. Rumours of water beds and handphones and drone deliveries and being allowed opportunities to do business while incarcerated have been rumoured before. It is time for the authorities to dispel them and make them go away. With so many ex-ministers DGs, people in authorities being charged in court lately, some of them might end up in prison. The Rakyat surely would like to know what life they will be living in Sg Buloh or Kajang.
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