Khir Toyo completes parole, now a free man

KLANG: Former Selangor Mentri Besar Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo (pix), who has completed his two months parole after serving six months in prison, is now a free man.
Parole and Community Service Director of the Prisons Department, Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak said Dr Mohamad Khir had complied with all the stipulated conditions during his two month parole and was released today.
"According to the release date, Dr Mohamad Khir is to be released on May 29, but since the date falls on a Sunday, he is released today," he told a media conference after Dr Mohamad Khir signed the necessary papers prior to his release at the Klang District Parole Office here.
On Sept 29, 2015, the Federal Court affirmed the Shah Alam High Court's decision and ordered Dr Mohamad Khir, 51, to serve 12 months' jail for using his position as Menteri Besar to obtain two plots of land and a bungalow in Shah Alam, worth RM6.5 million, for himself and his wife.
He was sent to the Kajang Prison and was granted parole last March 29.
Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz said Dr Mohamad Khir was eligible to be given the parole as he met the conditions set by the Parole Board.
The conditions include that the jail sentence should be more than a year and the conviction is not for offences under the Fourth Schedule of the Prison Act.
"Dr Mohamad Khir participated in the rehabilitation programme as was directed and had not breached any of the conditions under the Parole Order," he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Mohamad Khir, when met by reporters, expressed his gratitude to the prison staff for taking care of him and regarded his imprisonment as a
lesson.
"Everybody makes mistakes, so do I. I have learnt my lesson," he added.
He said he was granted parole because of his good conduct in prison.
"I did not breach any regulations, no matter how small, during my time in prison," he added.
Dr Mohamad Khir said he was treated an ordinary man and never requested nor given special treatment by the prison staff.
"In prison, there were about 200 regulations, including to not sing or raise your feet, but if there is anyone who says I was given parole because of favouritism, it is not true. You must see my record first," he added.
In another development, Dr Mohamad Khir expressed his interest to set up a foundation to protect the welfare of prisoners.
"I saw prisoners not getting any visit from relatives. When they dont have visitors, they can't even change their shirt.
"I appeal to families of prisoners, to never leave them (prisoners) because they need help," he said, adding that prisoners were given only a pair of shirt
a year.
On his future plans, Dr Mohamad Khir said he would focus on his family.
"As for politics, I have not given it a thought, (but) for the Sungai Besar parliamentary by-election, I am prepared to assist, if needed," said the former Sungai Panjang Assemblyman.
The Sungai Besar parliamentary by-election will be held on June 18 following the death of its incumbent, Datuk Noriah Kasnon, who was also Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister, in a helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak, on May 5.— Bernama