Malik Yatam, recognised as Malaysia’s first former inmate to complete a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) during incarceration, was granted an audience with Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on Tuesday (Feb 3), marking a rare and poignant royal engagement.
According to a post shared by the Selangor Royal Office on Facebook, the nearly hour-long meeting was described as solemn and deeply emotional. It was also noted as the first occasion the Sultan had personally met a former prisoner who had been fully pardoned, underscoring the significance of the encounter.
Malik, now 39, was released on December 11, 2024 after spending 24 years in prison under the Tahanan Limpah Sultan (TLS), a sentence imposed without a fixed release date. His case has since drawn public attention as an example of rehabilitation through education, a path that remains rare but increasingly highlighted in discussions on prison reform.
He had originally been spared the death penalty as he was below 18 at the time of the offence. Malik began serving his sentence in 2001 at just 14 years old and later pursued higher education while incarcerated at Kajang Prison, eventually earning a PhD in business administration — an achievement regarded as unprecedented in the country’s correctional history.
During the audience, Sultan Sharafuddin enquired about Malik’s life following his release and his aspirations moving forward. His Royal Highness was said to be visibly moved by Malik’s personal journey, expressing the view that he deserved an opportunity to rebuild his life and contribute positively to society.
The Sultan also noted that the royal pardon had been granted after careful deliberation during the Pardons Board meeting on November 24, 2024. In closing, His Royal Highness advised Malik to safeguard his family’s good name and remain resolute in improving his quality of life, reflecting a broader message that redemption and responsibility must go hand in hand.
