PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia June 24, 2025 – Senator Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail, Malaysia’s Minister of Home Affairs, today launched a landmark three-day conference on “Planning and Designing Humane Correctional Facilities” at Le Méridien Hotel, Putrajaya. The event, co-organized with the European Union (EU), marks a significant step in Malaysia’s ambitious prison reform agenda, aiming to transform correctional facilities into modern, rights-based environments that prioritize rehabilitation and human dignity.
In his opening remarks, the Minister emphasized that the initiative goes beyond infrastructure. “This is about redefining the philosophy of incarceration,” he said, highlighting Malaysia’s commitment to aligning its correctional system with global standards, particularly the United Nations’ Nelson Mandela Rules. Quoting the late Nelson Mandela, he added, “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.”
The conference, attended by EU Ambassador to Malaysia Rafael Dearr, Commissioner General of Prisons Dato’ Haji Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Razak, and international experts from Belgium, Denmark, and the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA), focuses on innovative prison design and management. Key priorities include reducing overcrowding, integrating green technology, leveraging AI for enhanced prison management, and ensuring gender- and age-sensitive approaches for inmates.
The Minister outlined Malaysia’s reform goals, which include refurbishing facilities to support mental well-being, improving access to healthcare and vocational training, and strengthening protections for vulnerable groups such as women, juveniles, and foreign inmates. Structured pre-release programs aim to ensure successful societal reintegration.
“This collaboration with the EU is a testament to the power of international partnerships,” Saifuddin Nasution said, praising the EU’s expertise in progressive penal models. He expressed hope that the meeting would yield actionable frameworks and inspire regional change, proving that safety and dignity can coexist in a justice system rooted in human rights.
The event, supported by the EU-Malaysia Prison Reform Initiative, underscores Malaysia’s vision to create sustainable, humane correctional systems that reflect both international best practices and national values. Discussions over the next three days are expected to foster scalable innovations and deepen global cooperation.