Seberang perai: A total of 4,105 individuals who completed their sentences and successfully underwent rehabilitation from 2020 to July 9 this year have returned to the workforce through the career matching initiative implemented by the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the five main sectors with the highest recruitment to support the group’s reintegration into society were manufacturing, construction, agriculture, food services, and wholesale and retail trade. He highlighted that efforts to empower vulnerable groups, including prospects or former prisoners, through job opportunities align with the goal of reducing the country’s dependence on foreign labour.

‘Based on the 2024 statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), total employment in the country stood at 16.78 million, with more than 2.3 million, or 13.7 per cent, comprising foreign workers.’ Sim stated this reflects the urgent need to utilise the local workforce inclusively and comprehensively, recognising the potential of ex-convicts as contributors to societal and economic productivity. He made these remarks while officiating the MYFutureJobs Career and Entrepreneurship Carnival at the Seberang Perai Prison Complex.

The carnival, held on a large scale for the second time, resulted from strategic cooperation between the Human Resources Ministry through SOCSO and the Home Ministry via the Malaysian Prisons Department. The first edition took place in the central zone at Kajang Prison in 2024, with 350 prospects participating, whereas this year’s event involved 600 prospects, including 550 men and 50 women from the northern zone, which consists of Perak, Penang, Kedah, and Perlis.

This year’s event saw the participation of 20 employers offering 1,080 job vacancies. Additionally, nine public and private agencies were present to provide assistance and entrepreneurship programmes for prospects. Sim also highlighted the success of the Daya Kerjaya programme since its introduction in 2020, which saw 549 employers provide job placements to 2,604 prospects, with over RM12 million in incentive funds distributed.

Sim further discussed the Active Labour Market Stimulus Policy, offering an incentive of RM600 per month for three months to employers hiring prospects, as evidence of the government’s commitment to recognising local talent and supporting societal reintegration.

Earlier, SOCSO signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with six key industry associations, including the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) and the Malaysian Retailers Association (MRA), among others. Sim described this MoU as a step towards opening up more job opportunities for former prisoners who have undergone rehabilitation and training, thus helping them rebuild their lives with dignity.

Also present at the event were Commissioner-General of Prisons Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak; SOCSO Board Chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal; and SOCSO Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.