Graduates behind Iron Curtains

The desire to continue their studies never faded, despite realising they would spend almost their entire youth behind the Iron Curtains.

Farhan (not his real name), 32, who has been serving time at the pleasure of the Ruler since 2010 for a murder offence, said his decision to continue his studies was to make both his parents proud.

"I have been in prison since I was 17 years old. I want to prove to my family, especially my late mother, that prison is not only a place to punish offenders but also a centre to improve oneself to become a better person.

"Prison taught me a lot about the meaning of life by allowing me to gain various knowledge and skills," he told Bernama after receiving his scroll for a Diploma in Business Management Diploma at the 27th convocation of the Open University Malaysia (OUM) held from last Oct 14 to 17.

Farhan received his scroll from OUM pro-chancellor Tan Sri Azman Hashim at the event held at the Kuala Lumpur Putra World Trade Centre.

He obtained 2As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, which he took while in prison in 2010 and in 2014 continued his studies at OUM, but stopped for a while in 2019 before resuming his studies in 2021.

"I almost gave up halfway, and am grateful for the support and encouragement from my family, teachers and fellow inmates, I became determined to succeed.

"Having made a mistake in my life, now I want to prove to the society that prisoners can also succeed," he said.

The eighth of nine siblings remains optimistic about his future and hopes to be able to pursue his studies to a degree level.

"I am grateful to the Malaysian Prisons Department for allowing me to go back to study and even go to university," said Farhan, who also holds a Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 2 specialising in tailoring.

Meanwhile, Amir, 30, said although there were limitations due to rules and regulations to studying in prison, they did not pose an obstacle for him to continue his studies.

Amir, from Manggatal, Kota Kinabalu, in Sabah, who is also in detention at the pleasure of the Ruler for murder, now holds a Diploma in Business Management from OUM.

He attributed his success to encouragement from family members and friends in prison as well as teachers.

"Studying in prison is very challenging, especially after OUM introduced online learning. Besides, the limited use of the Internet in prison, and other problems, I became discouraged and almost gave up, especially when I got infected with COVID-19.

"I am indeed very grateful to the Malaysian Prisons Department, OUM and those directly or indirectly involved for giving me a second chance to continue my studies," he added.

Amir, who is the second of five siblings, has been in prison since he was 16.