Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,
Salam Sejahtera,
And a very good morning to all.

Your Excellency Mr. Rafael Daerr,
Ambassador of the European Union to Malaysia
YBhg. Dato’ Sri Awang Alik bin Jeman,

Chief Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
YBhg. Dato’ Haji Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Razak,

Commissioner General of Prisons, Malaysia
All Deputies Commissioner of Malaysian Prison
Under Secretaries, Ministry of Home Affairs

The Honourable Judge Erwan Thor,
Prison Expert and Project Manager, EU–Malaysia Prison Reform Initiative
Distinguished Experts in Correctional Facility Design and Management from Belgium, Denmark, and the International
Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA)
Senior Officers from Ministries, Government Agencies and Law Enforcement Bodies

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a great honor to welcome all of you to this landmark meeting on “Planning and Designing Humane Correctional Facilities,” a vital part of Malaysia’s broader Prison Reform Initiative. I want to begin by expressing our sincere gratitude to the European Union Office to Malaysia. Your unwavering support, generous contributions, and expert technical collaboration have been instrumental in co-organizing this meaningful event, especially through the invaluable engagement of European experts, specialists, and esteemed speakers.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This meeting is about much more than just blueprints or buildings. It is about fundamentally redefining the very philosophy of incarceration itself. At the core of Malaysia’s prison reform agenda lies a deep and unwavering commitment to human dignity, rehabilitation, and successful social reintegration. Our vision is clear: we aim to transform our correctional institutions into modern, rights-based, and truly rehabilitative environments that reflect both international best practices and our cherished national values.

As the late Nelson Mandela powerfully reminded us: “No one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” This profound statement calls upon us to examine the treatment of prisoners through the careful lens of justice, compassion, and international responsibility. Prisoners, though deprived of their liberty, must never be deprived of their inherent human rights – a right to dignity, health, safety, education, and hope.

Indeed, Islam places great emphasis on justice and compassion, even towards those who have erred. Our beloved Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us: “Fear the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.” This timeless wisdom underscores the importance of upholding justice and dignity for all, regardless of their circumstances.

In this spirit, Malaysia’s correctional reform journey is firmly guided by internationally recognized instruments, particularly the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known globally as the Nelson Mandela Rules. Our vision is to translate these standards into enforceable national policies, continuously improving prison governance in ways that are measurable, humane, and sustainable.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, through the Malaysian Prisons Department is working actively to align domestic regulations with global standards. This includes:

i. Redesigning and refurbishing prison buildings and facilities to reduce overcrowding, support mental well-being, and promote effective rehabilitation in line with modern correctional philosophies;

ii. Integrating green technology and sustainable design principles to create environmentally responsible prison environments that are energy-efficient, cost-effective, and conducive to positive behavioural change;

iii. Leveraging artificial intelligence and digital technologies to enhance prison management systems improving security,
resource allocation, rehabilitation tracking, and data-driven decision-making;

iv. Incorporating gender and age-sensitive approaches to ensure the needs of women, juveniles, and older inmates are
addressed with dignity and care;

v. Improving access to healthcare, psychological support, vocational training, and education, especially for inmates with
mental health challenges or complex social needs;

vi. Strengthening the rights and protection of vulnerable populations, including women, children in conflict with the law,
persons with disabilities, and foreign inmates; and

vii. Preparing inmates for successful resettlement and reintegration into society, through structured pre-release programs, skills development, and family/community reintegration strategies

Today’s collaboration with the European Union and its member states is a testament to the value of international partnerships. Through shared learning and technical exchange, we are strengthening our commitment to justice that heals, rather than justice that only punishes. The EU’s extensive expertise in progressive penal models and humane prison design offers invaluable guidance as we re-imagine our own correctional systems.

Let this meeting mark a turning point, not just for Malaysia, but for the region. Let it demonstrate that safety and security are not at odds with dignity and rights. Rather, they go hand in hand when justice is pursued through a human rights lens.

I hope the deliberations over the next three days will result in actionable frameworks, scalable innovations, and strengthened international cooperation in the spirit of sustainable and humane corrections.

Once again, I would like to extend my warmest gratitude to the EU Office to Malaysia, the esteemed panel of experts, and all
participating agencies for making this event a reality. Thank you, and I wish you all a fruitful and engaging conference
ahead.

Wabillahi Taufiq Walhidayah,
Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.