PhD for man who spent 23 years in prison
Graduates of Open University Malaysia at the convocation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur today. (Bernama TV pic)
PETALING JAYA : A 38-year-old man who spent 23 years behind bars has received a PhD in business administration from the Open University Malaysia, marking a triumphant end of an educational journey.
Murad (not his real name) has been in Kajang prison since 2001, where he was sent at the age of 14 to serve at the pleasure of the sultan of Selangor. He was granted a royal pardon by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah last December in conjunction with the sultan's birthday.
While in prison, he began his educational journey in 2006 by studying for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia certificate, followed by the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia a year later.
After completing his STPM, he applied to OUM despite facing scepticism and discouragement from those around him.
He obtained a bachelor's degree in business administration with honours, and went on to doctoral studies, receiving his PhD from OUM pro-chancellor Azman Hashim.
'I would like to express my gratitude to OUM for believing in me and supporting my pursuit of higher education, which has led to the completion of my PhD. I am also deeply thankful to the sultan of Selangor for granting me a royal pardon,' he told reporters at the convocation, held at the World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
He said he was motivated to pursue higher education by the encouragement and support of the community. 'I'm trying to prove to society and fellow inmates that I, too, am capable of change and success,' he said.
Murad, a Muslim convert, was originally from Kota Marudu, Sabah. He moved to Peninsular Malaysia at an early age.
He said he is passionate about promoting entrepreneurship among former inmates. His next goal is to establish a small business that will provide them with opportunities for a better future.
At the convocation today, two men in their seventies were honoured with the Lifelong Learning Award, in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements.
Yusuf Haron, 73, from Perak, who earned a master's degree in Islamic studies, expressed his gratitude to OUM for the award.
Tang Tung Khing, 79, who graduated with an honour's degree in communication, said he was inspired by the academic achievements of his three children. 'I believe that senior citizens today must equip themselves with sufficient knowledge to improve their lives,' said Tang, a former press secretary and retired civil servant.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Women's business bootcamp opens for registration
GEORGE TOWN: More women entrepreneurs, including single mothers, are urged to register as participants in the Penang Women Entrepreneurs Mentoring Programme 2025 (PenMentor2025) with the registration deadline set for July 31. Penang social development, welfare and non-Muslim affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the programme, organised by the Penang Women Development Corporation (PWDC), aimed to help women gain business knowledge and expand their businesses. 'PenMentor is a programme that offers intensive training, mentoring and networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Since its inception in 2020, more than 350 participants have benefited from the programme. 'Last year, we recorded a 50% increase in average sales among participants who completed the programme, proving that the right guidance and support can deliver tangible results,' she said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported. She said PenMentor, which is now in its sixth year, would also focus on enhancing digital literacy among women entrepreneurs to help them stay competitive in the rapidly changing economy. Meanwhile, PWDC chief executive officer Datuk Ong Bee Leng said PenMentor would run for three months from August to October this year, featuring a four-day Intensive Entrepreneurship Course and six mentoring sessions. 'The mentees will be divided into sub-groups consisting of eight mentees and two mentors, who will be selected from various industry backgrounds and with about five years of experience in their respective fields.' Ong said this year's PenMentor places greater emphasis on digital marketing, with the module conducted by Digital Penang. The topics covered will include platforms like TikTok Shop, Canva and Capcut. Among the eligibility criteria is that applicants must be Penangites and Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above. The registration fee is RM200 for the B40 group and RM400 for the M40 and T20 groups.
The Sun
19 hours ago
- The Sun
MADANI govt committed to reforms, but needs time
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the MADANI unity government is deeply committed to tackling corruption and abuse of power but the reforms to combat these menaces will take time to materialise. 'There's no turning back. What I am certain is that every month and every year there must be some progression in addressing these issues,' he said. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said there are those who are impatient and want reforms fast, but they are 'blinded to the facts and reality.' He said there must be wisdom (hikmah) in the way the MADANI government goes about undertaking such reforms. He cited how Pakatan Harapan does not even have a simple majority in Parliament, which is why as a coalition government, 'we have to work together.' 'And we are fortunate, because UMNO and Barisan Nasional have now turned to be one of the core pillars committed to this reform and support,' he said in his keynote address at the launch of the Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation in Islamic Economics (i-RISE) here today. 'But you can't take things for granted, because the process of negotiations, discussions and engagement is important,' he said. He said it is vital to work gradually and get the consensus between the key parties including those from Sabah and Sarawak. He also highlighted that proper governance is essential to ensure economic growth and progress whether a country practices Islamic or conventional banking or both banking systems like in Malaysia. He said that there should be sustainability and clarity in a country's macroeconomic policies and in governance which promotes development but avoids financial leakages and endemic corruption. 'Almost without exception, Muslim countries are not poor, but the poverty is because of the tendency to either condone and use power and privilege to squander wealth,' he said. He also lamented over gender poverty in Muslim countries, but said Malaysia is fortunate as the problem is relatively absent. He said that the MADANI unity government remains committed to support studies and research and allow Islamic economics and Islamic instruments to be practiced, supported and expanded. To this end, he called on bankers, academicians, intellectuals, scholars, professionals and Islamic scholars 'not to ignore the importance of what proper and good governance entails' when undertaking reforms in related disciplines. 'Through good governance with clear policies and instruments, institutions must protect the system from excesses,' said Anwar. In this way, the country would grow and possess the capacity to attract foreign direct investments and penetrate new markets as a trading nation. He described the global halal industry as having massive potential of up to US$3 trillion (US$1 = RM4.23), but said this means nothing if 'you don't engage, penetrate and expand into new markets.' On an encouraging note, he said, Malaysia has emerged as a major centre of halal certification envied by other countries wanting to learn and share its expertise, which in the process would help develop linkages with halal ventures globally.
Borneo Post
20 hours ago
- Borneo Post
PM Anwar: Madani govt committed to reforms, but needs time
Anwar said there are those who are impatient and want reforms fast, but they are 'blinded to the facts and reality.' – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (June 10): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the Madani unity government is deeply committed to tackling corruption and abuse of power but the reforms to combat these menaces will take time to materialise. 'There's no turning back. What I am certain is that every month and every year there must be some progression in addressing these issues,' he said. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said there are those who are impatient and want reforms fast, but they are 'blinded to the facts and reality.' He said there must be wisdom (hikmah) in the way the Madani government goes about undertaking such reforms. He cited how Pakatan Harapan does not even have a simple majority in Parliament, which is why as a coalition government, 'we have to work together.' 'And we are fortunate, because Umno and Barisan Nasional have now turned to be one of the core pillars committed to this reform and support,' he said in his keynote address at the launch of the Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation in Islamic Economics (i-RISE) here today. 'But you can't take things for granted, because the process of negotiations, discussions and engagement is important,' he said. He said it is vital to work gradually and get the consensus between the key parties including those from Sabah and Sarawak. He also highlighted that proper governance is essential to ensure economic growth and progress whether a country practices Islamic or conventional banking or both banking systems like in Malaysia. He said that there should be sustainability and clarity in a country's macroeconomic policies and in governance which promotes development but avoids financial leakages and endemic corruption. 'Almost without exception, Muslim countries are not poor, but the poverty is because of the tendency to either condone and use power and privilege to squander wealth,' he said. He also lamented over gender poverty in Muslim countries, but said Malaysia is fortunate as the problem is relatively absent. He said that the Madani unity government remains committed to support studies and research and allow Islamic economics and Islamic instruments to be practiced, supported and expanded. To this end, he called on bankers, academicians, intellectuals, scholars, professionals and Islamic scholars 'not to ignore the importance of what proper and good governance entails' when undertaking reforms in related disciplines. 'Through good governance with clear policies and instruments, institutions must protect the system from excesses,' said Anwar. In this way, the country would grow and possess the capacity to attract foreign direct investments and penetrate new markets as a trading nation. He described the global halal industry as having massive potential of up to US$3 trillion (US$1 = RM4.23), but said this means nothing if 'you don't engage, penetrate and expand into new markets.' On an encouraging note, he said, Malaysia has emerged as a major centre of halal certification envied by other countries wanting to learn and share its expertise, which in the process would help develop linkages with halal ventures globally. – Bernama anwar ibrahim madani government reforms
