Former convicts welcome tax cuts for employers who hire them

KUALA TERENGGANU: Many former convicts have described the government's proposal under Budget 2019 to give additional tax cuts for employers who hire them as a "pathway to livelihood".
Many contacted by Bernama said they found it tough to survive when they are out of jail as they do not have jobs.
Ahmad (not his real name), 25, who studied until the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and was jailed for three years for stealing, believes the proposed incentive will encourage more employers to hire former prisoners.
"When I got out of prison in 2014, I came here (Kuala Terengganu) and tried to apply for a job at a petrol station, but my employer found out about my past. I used to work at a food shop as well but didn't last long because my employer was always suspicious," he said when contacted here today.
Another ex-convict, a 35-year-old man, acknowledged that he too faced difficulties because employers were not open to hiring former prisoners although he had a Diploma in Electric and Electronic Engineering.
He said that the government's proposal would be able to "open the hearts" of employers as they would enjoy additional tax cuts.
He, however, hoped that employers would not take advantage of the situation by offering former convicts like him low salaries.
The 35-year-old man, who was released from jail in 2016 after serving a three-year sentence for drug possession, also hoped that the public, especially employers, should be aware that those like him have paid the price for their crime.
Meanwhile, the Terengganu Welfare, Women and Family Development and National Unity Committee chairman Hanafiah Mat said the federal government's move was a good start in caring for the welfare of former convicts in the country.
"However, there is still no benchmark (study or statistics) which proves that former prisoners are capable of showing commitment to their employers.
"Therefore, I hope the federal government will place more emphasis on religion so that the former convicts will truly repent and desire to start a new life and be ready to commit themselves fully to their employers," he said.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, who presented Budget 2019 on Friday, proposed additional tax deductions be given to companies who hire ex-convicts and pay them salaries of up to RM4,000 per month. This is to ensure the former prisoners are not left behind as the country moves forward and are able to contribute to economic growth. — Bernama