Kuala lumpur: A total of 6,846 former prison inmates, known as prospek, have gained employment via the Second Chance Programme for Prospek, spearheaded by the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) from 2020 until last August.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan stated that this achievement underscores the success of the ministry's initiatives through PERKESO in reintegrating former inmates into society by providing job placements. He emphasized that this initiative indirectly reduces the nation's reliance on foreign labour, particularly in sectors like services, manufacturing, and agriculture.
Citing Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) data for the second quarter of 2026, Khairul Firdaus mentioned that 2.13 million, or 12.7 per cent, of the country's 16.77 million workforce are foreign workers. "MYFutureJobs data up to Aug 21, 2026, indicates 57,731 vacancies in manufacturing, 19,297 in construction, 3,283 in agriculture, and thousands more opportunities across sectors needing local manpower," he stated during the Central Zone LINDUNG Kerjaya MYFutureJobs and Entrepreneurship Mega Carnival 2026 'Tiada Yang Terpinggir'.
He urged employers dependent on foreign labour to consider prospeks as a potential local workforce for suitable roles. He further noted that the second chance agenda requires readiness from all stakeholders, with the government providing avenues, employers extending trust, and society accepting prospeks back into the mainstream.
Khairul Firdaus highlighted that reintegrating former inmates through employment aligns with global practices found in countries such as Singapore and Japan, where rehabilitation is linked with skills development and career placement. He remarked that the prospek-oriented career carnival aligns with the MADANI Government's efforts to facilitate successful reintegration into society through employment.
"Today's carnival presents over 5,000 job vacancies for 800 prospek, involving 35 participating employers across various sectors. Additionally, five supporting agencies and strategic partners offer training, career, entrepreneurship, and employment support," he added.
He pointed out that the carnival, part of the Jelajah Nasional 2026, witnessed participation from 1,264 prospek, with 59 employers offering 885 placements. This reflects that success is now measured not just by hiring numbers but also by long-term job retention and career advancement.
Alongside the event, the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), through PERKESO and the Malaysian Prisons Department, launched the inaugural IKON Awards to recognize inspiring success stories of prospek who have built meaningful careers post-incarceration.