logo
Celebrating 235 Years Of Correctional History, From Fort Cornwallis To Modern Prisons

Celebrating 235 Years Of Correctional History, From Fort Cornwallis To Modern Prisons

Barnama15-05-2025

By Erma Idayu Mohd Yusop
GEORGE TOWN, May 15 (Bernama) -- To enhance public understanding of the nation's correctional history and evolution, this year's 235th Prison Day celebration emphasises the establishment of Malaysia's first modern prison.
The first modern prison was set up in 1790 at Fort Cornwallis here during the British colonial era, making it significant in the history of the nation's correctional institutions.
In an exclusive interview with Bernama, Penang Prison director Abd Rauf Lang Pasif said the prison was regarded as modern for its time because of its structured and organised administrative system and that it represented a significant shift from the traditional methods of incarceration used previously.
"Historical records indicate that Malaysia's modern prison system began with the arrival of two prisoners from India. Subsequently, the prisoner population grew as inmates from Sumatra were brought in to help construct the prison and its supporting infrastructure in Penang.
"Two men, Eyeno Deen Sheikdan (also known as Ainuddin Sheidan) and Mohamed Heiant, were brought from Bengal, India, by the British for incarceration. This made them the first two prisoners in Malaysia, marking the beginning of modern prisons in the country," he said.
Abd Rauf said the prisoners were used as cheap labour to build infrastructure and support economic activities and that a second prison was later built at Chowrasta Lines.
However, he said a new facility known as Penang Gold was built and began operations in 1849 due to overcrowding, and it still exists today as the Penang Remand Prison.
"This year, Penang was selected as the host location for the 235th Prison Day celebration for several reasons. One being that the first modern prison was established in this state. Additionally, this choice aligns with our theme, "Peradaban Manusiawi Perkukuh Masyarakat MADANI."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Syndicate using courier services to transport subsidised cooking oil busted
Syndicate using courier services to transport subsidised cooking oil busted

New Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Syndicate using courier services to transport subsidised cooking oil busted

BUTTERWORTH: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has exposed a new tactic in misappropriating subsidised cooking oil packs using courier services following a raid on a warehouse in Kampung Sungai Puyu here today. Its Penang branch director S. Jegan said 14,380 packets of 1kg subsidised cooking oil packs were seized from the warehouse, along with a lorry and other documents, with a total value of RM204,500. "Preliminary investigations found that the wholesaler used courier services to send the packs in large quantities to an address in Perlis while the packs were brought to the courier warehouse in a lorry in deliveries of twice a month," he told reporters at a media conference at the location of the raid. A man, 60, who was the driver of the lorry was arrested after he failed to provide any license, permit or documents to conduct business, to store or use the controlled item. The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, he added. – Bernama

Gerik crash: Survivor recounts being thrown out, body landing on him
Gerik crash: Survivor recounts being thrown out, body landing on him

New Straits Times

time3 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Gerik crash: Survivor recounts being thrown out, body landing on him

GERIK: The tragic accident at Km53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB), near Tasik Banding, Gerik, that claimed the lives of 15 students from the Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) must have left a traumatic impact on the survivors. One such survivor, Abdul Wafiy Kamarudin, 23, when sharing the harrowing moments with Bernama, said the accident had such a strong impact so much so he was flung out of the bus, and most terrifyingly, a victim's body landed on him. Abdul Wafiy, a sixth-semester student pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Art Education, said he was looking at his mobile phone in the dimness of the night but could feel the bus was on moving quickly as it descended a winding, hilly road. "The bus driver stopped briefly to check the vehicle's brakes before continuing the journey, and suddenly at around 1am, the bus overturned, causing me to be thrown out of the window and into a drain. "The situation at that time was very I was shocked to find a body on top of me. "I was forced to push it off me to save myself," he said when met while collecting his personal belongings at the Gerik district police headquarters here today. However, the youngest among six siblings from Kampung Pak Kancil, Setiu in Terengganu is grateful because he only suffered minor injuries to his hands and face. Meanwhile, Mohd Zaki Ismail, the father to victim Rohadatul Aisy, 21, said his daughter contacted him at about 3am to say that she had been involved in an accident. "At that time, she (Rohadatul Aisy) said she was unable to move due to pain in both her neck and waist but a friend had helped carry her out of the bus. "I immediately left Kampung Gong Badang, Besut in Terengganu at 8 am and arrived at the Gerik Hospital to learn that my daughter suffered a fractured hip," he said. He also said that Rohadatul is receiving further treatment at the Besut Hospital, while he and his wife, Norliza Ghazali, are waiting to retrieve their child's personal belongings from the Gerik police headquarters. In the early morning incident yesterday, 15 UPSI students died when a chartered bus from Jertih to Tanjung Malim overturned after colliding with a Perodua Alza at JRTB near Tasik Banding. The accident also resulted in 33 others being injured, including the bus driver and conductor, as well as the driver and three passengers of the multi-purpose vehicle. – Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store