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The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
From incarceration to reintegration, an inmate's painted story
Storyteller: A section of the mural at the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre that was completed in February this year. — Bernama BATU GAJAH: A vibrant mural now adorns the exterior of the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre, capturing the transformative journey of inmates through a vivid visual narrative. The mural, a collaboration between the Batu Gajah District Council (MDBG), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Seri Iskandar and the correctional facility, spans approximately 80m in length and 3m in height. Batu Gajah District Council president Mohamad Razif Ramli said the mural features 25 illustrated panels that trace the journey of incarceration, from the history of Malaysia's prison system to the daily routines, vocational training and hopes of reintegration into society. 'Housed in a facility built in 1902, the mural brings new life and meaning to this historically significant site. 'This marks our third mural collaboration with UiTM Seri Iskandar, but our first with the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre,' he said during the launch of the mural by Kinta District Officer Zulhisham Ahmad Shukori here yesterday. Also present were Perak Prisons Department director Charin Promwichit Chem, Batu Gajah Correctional Centre director S. Tanabal, and UiTM senior lecturer Dr Syed Alwi Syed Abu Bakar, who is also the deputy project director. Razif shared that discussions to identify a new mural location began last year, and prison authorities were enthusiastic about supporting the initiative. 'Following detailed planning towards the end of 2024, the mural painting was successfully carried out on-site in February this year,' he added. Dr Syed Alwi said the mural was created by a team of 25 from UiTM Seri Iskandar, including nine lecturers, four alumni members, and 12 students. He said all visual content was carefully developed in collaboration with the prison to ensure respectful and meaningful representation. 'The mural is styled as a visual timeline, resembling a strip of film, with each panel telling a different part of the story, from the early history of the Malaysian prison system to modern day rehabilitation initiatives. 'The first few frames delve into the history of Prisons in Malaysia, beginning with Fort Cornwallis Prison in Penang (1790), followed by Taiping (1879), Pudu (1895), and Batu Gajah (1902),' he explained. He said the other segments illustrate the metaphorical journey towards freedom, symbolised by a dove escaping its cage. 'The artwork continues with depictions of spiritual and moral education, vocational training in carpentry, tailoring, cooking, and other skills inmates acquire during their time in custody. 'A section also shows correctional officers, shown as disciplined and dedicated individuals playing a vital role in supporting inmates' transformation. Dr Syed Alwi said this initiative aims to change how society views prisons, and shifting the narrative from punishment to rehabilitation. 'Our hope is that this mural encourages greater public understanding and support for second chances,' he said. When asked whether this was Malaysia's first prison-based mural project, Charin Promwichit noted that a similar effort had taken place at Tapah Prison in partnership with UiTM Seri Iskandar. 'In fact, a mural was once painted by an inmate at Pudu Prison in the early 1990s, so this concept has some history,' he said.
The Star
4 days ago
- General
- The Star
Striking mural adorns Batu Gajah Correctional Centre
BATU GAJAH: A striking 80-metre long mural now graces the walls of the historic Batu Gajah Correctional Centre, offering the public a rare glimpse into the lives of inmates. The mural is a collaboration between the Batu Gajah District Council (MDBG), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Seri Iskandar and the correctional facility. It spans approximately 80 metres in length and 3 metres in height. Batu Gajah District Council president Mohamad Razif Ramli said it features 25 vividly illustrated panels. These panels trace the journey of incarceration, from the history of prisons in the country to daily routines, vocational training, and the hope of reintegration into society. He said that the correctional centre that was built in 1902 carries historical significance, and this artwork adds a meaningful visual layer to it. "This project marks the third mural initiative between MDBG and UiTM Seri Iskandar, but it is the first involving the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre." "We hope that this mural becomes an attraction for people to come and stop by in Batu Gajah," he said. He spoke to reporters after the mural's launch by district officer Zulhisham Ahmad Shukori on Thursday (May 29). Also present were Perak Prisons Department director Charin Promwichit Chem, the correctional centre's director S. Tanabal, and UiTM Seri Iskandar's senior lecturer Dr Syed Alwi Syed Abu Bakar, who is also the mural project deputy director. Razif added that last year the council discussed with UiTM to find a suitable location for a new mural site. He said the correctional centre was very open and willing to work with the council to bring the latest mural to life. "This collaboration began at the end of last year with a series of discussions. Finally, as mentioned earlier, in February we carried out the mural painting on-site," he added. Dr Syed Alwi said 25 people from UiTM Seri Iskandar took part in the project, including nine lecturers, four alumni, and 12 students. He said all design concepts were developed in consultation with the prison authorities to ensure accuracy and sensitivity in depicting inmate experiences. Dr Syed Alwi then said that as a visual timeline, the mural takes inspiration from a classic film strip format. "Each 'frame' portrays different scenes, from historical contexts to present-day rehabilitation efforts." "The mural opens with the history of the Malaysian prison system." It traces its roots to the establishment of Fort Cornwallis Prison in Penang in 1790, followed by Taiping Prison in 1879, Pudu Prison in 1895, and Batu Gajah Prison in 1902. "The following panels depict the symbolic flight towards freedom, a dove escaping a prison cage, illustrating the transformative journey of inmates," he added. Dr Syed Alwi added that the mural explores various educational and vocational programmes offered to inmates. These include spiritual and moral education, as well as practical skills in carpentry, laundry, tailoring, cooking, and more. He said another segment highlights the discipline and professionalism of correctional staff, portraying them as an integral force behind inmate reform and national service. "Floral imagery is also woven into the mural's design, with the lily symbolising purity and freedom." "The inclusion of the Ixora flower, which is the official flower of MDPG, adds a local identity and message of renewal." "The mural seeks to change perceptions about prisons." It moves beyond negative stereotypes to emphasise the correctional centre's role in education, healing, and second chances. "We hope the community will see this not just as a work of art, but as a message of understanding and social reintegration," he added. When asked if this is the first mural collaboration with a prison in the country, Charin Promwichit said there was a similar project at Tapah prison with UiTM Seri Iskandar. "This is not the first. Previously at Pudu Prison, a mural was painted by an inmate himself back in the early 1990s," he said.
