Perlis: The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Re-Drive programme, titled 'Empowering Prospects with New Millennium Automotive Skills', offers inmates an opportunity to rebuild their lives by acquiring skills that can be used after their release from prison.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons (Community) Hafidz Othman, who is currently performing the duties of the Commissioner General of Prisons, emphasized that the programme provides inmates with a second chance to enhance their skills and build a more promising future. Initiated last year, the high-impact programme was conceptualized by the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, proposing a strategic collaboration between Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) and the Prisons Department.
Hafidz highlighted that the initiative marks a significant step by integrating academic knowledge with correctional rehabilitation, thereby offering inmates not only a second chance but also equipping them with high-level technical skills pertinent to the modern automotive industry. His remarks were delivered at the closing ceremony of the Re-Drive programme at the Perlis Correctional Centre, with his speech read by Prisons Headquarters Corrective Division director, Prison Commissioner, Nora Musa.
Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra was present to grace the closing ceremony. Hafidz reported that twenty inmates from the Perlis Correctional Centre participated in the programme, which included training in basic motorcycle maintenance and diagnostics, basic tyre replacement and alignment, and basic painting skills. The programme's unique advantage lies in its combination of theoretical and practical training conducted at the university, alongside employment opportunities offered by automotive companies upon completion of the training.
Hafidz stated that the support and opportunities provided through the programme are crucial for helping inmates become self-reliant, build stable lives, and reintegrate into society with dignity. He affirmed that the programme would continue in the future to offer more inmates the chance to acquire skills beneficial for their post-incarceration lives.
Meanwhile, one of the programme's participants, Hafiz (not his real name), expressed how the TVET programme allowed him to learn automotive skills professionally. Hafiz, 30, who was released under the Licensed Prisoner Release (PBSL) after serving a sentence for drug abuse, shared that his prior knowledge of automotive skills was limited to informal learning in his village. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity and hopes to use these skills after his release.
Similarly, Fazli (not his real name), a 44-year-old participant also released under the PBSL, noted that the programme enhanced his understanding of motorcycle components and fault detection. Planning to open a small workshop or offer mobile automotive services after his release, Fazli expressed appreciation to the Prisons Department and all involved in the programme's success. Fazli was serving a sentence for a drug abuse offence.