NGO lauds Syed Saddiq for hiring ex-convicts

Volunteer Malaysia has lauded Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman for hiring ex-convicts at his office.

Rizan Hassan, a trustee of the NGO, said today he learned that one of the ex-convicts clocked in for work last week.

"One ex-convict started working last week, and I was informed that another two will be hired soon," he said when contacted by Malaysiakini.

Last October, Syed Saddiq said that he would hire three former convicts to work at his office as part of his ministry's 'Yellow Ribbon' campaign.

The move is aimed at changing public perception of those rehabilitated after spending time behind bars.

Malaysiakini has contacted Syed Saddiq for confirmation of the hires.

In a statement, Rizan said the initiative is crucial because it affords ex-convicts a second shot at realigning their lives, besides teaching them the value of forgiveness.

"By forgiving them and giving them a second chance, it will motivate them to do the best in whatever they do, and push them towards doing good deeds."

Rizan added that ex-convicts, particularly youth, are usually stigmatised as troublemakers and excluded from much of society.

"This is a wrong approach and this stigma should be removed from our society. We should emphasise giving them a second chance," he said. - Mkini