KOTA PADAWAN: The Sarawak Prison Department will grant several inmates the opportunity to be Licensed Free Persons (OBB) to celebrate the first Syawal with their families in conjunction with this year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Sarawak State Prison Director, Deputy Commissioner of Prisons, Teyun Thian Eim, said the release is part of the Ihsan MADANI Licensed Prisoner Release Program (PBSL) – ‘The Long-Awaited Return’.
“We will implement this programme on March 29, not only at Puncak Borneo Prison but also across all prisons in Sarawak (Sri Aman Central Prison, Sibu Central Prison, Miri Central Prison and Limbang Central Prison).
“Not only in Sarawak, but the programme will also be implemented in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after attending the 2025 Ziarah Sumbangsih Raya Session at Puncak Borneo Prison today.
It was officiated by the Minister of Women, Early Childhood, and Community Well-being Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
However, Teyun mentioned that, as of now, the department has not yet determined which inmates will be selected as OBB.
“The decision will be made by the board in the upcoming meeting,” he said.
He added that the programme, which began two years ago, is not only held during Hari Raya Aidilfitri but also during other major celebrations.
For the record, during last year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri, a total of 30 inmates from Puncak Borneo Prison were granted licensed release under PBSL.
Those who are selected and given this opportunity are inmates serving prison sentences of three years or less and have completed one-third of their sentences behind bars.
