A total of 58 prisoners have been granted early release by Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah in conjunction with his 70th birthday celebrations on Friday.
Deputy Prisons Commissioner-General (Security and Correctional) Rosoman Abu Bakar @ Che Din said the group comprised three women and 55 men aged between 28 and 64.
They had been serving their sentences at six correctional institutions, namely Tapah Prison, Kamunting Correctional Centre, Batu Gajah Correctional Centre, Taiping Prison, Seberang Perai Prison and a prison in Negeri Sembilan.
Rosoman said the royal pardon allowed all 58 prisoners, who had committed their offences in Perak, to be released before completing their original prison terms, although they were being held at different institutions across the country.
Of the total, 37 prisoners were released during a ceremony held this morning at Batu Gajah Correctional Centre.
He was speaking to reporters after accompanying Orang Kaya Bendahara Seri Maharaja Tan Sri Dr Mohd Zahidi Zainuddin, who represented Sultan Nazrin at a ceremony to hand over sponsored lunch meals to inmates in conjunction with the ruler’s birthday.
Apart from Batu Gajah Correctional Centre, Sultan Nazrin also sponsored lunch for inmates at six other institutions: Tapah Prison, Taiping Prison, Kamunting Correctional Centre, Chenderiang Correctional Centre, Kuala Kangsar Satellite Prison and Perak Halfway House.
The contribution benefited a total of 8,960 prisoners and detainees across the state.
Rosoman said the selection process for early release involved cooperation between the Prisons Department, the Perak state government and relevant agencies, including the Attorney-General’s Chambers and senior state lawyers.
He explained that shortlisted candidates were submitted for consideration before being presented to the Pardons Board for approval.
Those selected came from various offence categories, including drug-related and other criminal offences.
Consideration was also given to vulnerable inmates, particularly those aged 60 and above, as well as prisoners with health conditions who were no longer suitable for continued detention.
Rosoman said the early release would give the prisoners an opportunity to reunite with their families and continue their rehabilitation programmes outside prison.
