Many assume that a prison sentence marks the end of one’s future, but for Mohd Khairul Ab Aziz, it became the beginning of a new chapter. Despite being jailed for drug-related offences and facing personal turmoil, he turned his life around and has now graduated with a Master’s degree.
Arrested in 2016, Mohd Khairul’s hardships deepened when his wife filed for fasakh (annulment), leaving him in emotional distress. However, his turning point came after joining a rehabilitation programme by Persatuan Pengasih Malaysia, five months before his release.
Determined not to repeat the cycle he witnessed—where some inmates returned to prison more than 30 times—he chose to continue his education. In 2020, while at Seberang Perai Prison, he enrolled in postgraduate studies.
His journey was fraught with challenges. Internet access was limited to just 30 minutes per session, and he often studied late at night using only corridor lighting visible through his cell bars. His tuition fees were fully covered by his younger sibling, to whom he expressed deep gratitude.
After his release, he completed his studies and officially graduated on 26 November with a Master of Social Science from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). His convocation was attended by family members, USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed, and Seberang Perai Prison deputy director Rozita Muhamad Sharif.
Adding to his accomplishments, Mohd Khairul is the first Malaysian to conduct academic research on cocaine use, which was featured in the Global Cocaine Report 2023 published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna.
Reflecting on his achievement, he said his success represents more than academic recognition—it symbolizes redemption.
“This success is not just a personal achievement, but a way to restore my dignity as a former prisoner. As a father of two children, aged 14 and 19, I hope this degree can help make up for my past mistakes,” he said.
