RAWANG: Fifty prison inmates will be given job opportunities in the Klang Valley Double-Track Phase 2 (KVDT 2) rail upgrading project in a bid to rehabilitate them and also to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign workers.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said under the Reintegration of Inmates in Industry Programme, the prisoners were expected to start work in October or November this year, involving the repair of Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) railway tracks from Salak Selatan to Seremban, and from the Port Klang interchange near Mid Valley to Port Klang, with a total distance of 265 km.
“Firstly, we can reduce dependency on foreign workers. Secondly, we can rehabilitate prison inmates. We want them to be able to reintegrate with the society when they are released from prison,” he said in his speech at the launch of the KVDT 2 rail upgrading project here today.
Loke said the inmates were selected on a voluntary basis by Dhaya Maju LTAT Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) and Dhaya Maju Infrastructure (Asia) Sdn Bhd, which is handling the project.
The minister said the inmates would be paid with at least the minimum wage of RM1,100 as set by the government.
Earlier, Loke witnessed the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between Prison Department deputy director-general Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak and Dhaya Maju LTAT Sdn Bhd chairman, General Tan Sri Mohd Azumi Mohamed.
Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz said the inmates involved in the project comprised those who were undergoing rehabilitation and would be released soon.
He said they would be placed under close monitoring and surveillance by the prison officers and needed to abide by the prison’s rules and regulations.
“They will stay (work) for a period of six months to one year and, hopefully, when they were released from prison, they will use their skills to stay in the construction industry.
“Should there be a breach of discipline, the approval given to the inmates will be revoked and they have to return to prison,” he said.
The KVDT 2 upgrading project was launched today with an allocation of RM4.475 billion. — Bernama
