Malaysian inmates in Brunei appeal for book donations

MALAYSIAN inmates in Brunei are asking for donations of books and other reading materials to improve their knowledge while serving their time.

High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Dato' Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari yesterday narrated the prisoners' requests during the 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Malaysian Citizens' Association (PWM) held yesterday.

He said the High Commission have been receiving letters from Malaysians held in Jerudong prison. "I am hoping that you could send me reading materials to add to my knowledge during my time here" were some of the words that a Malaysian prisoner wrote in a letter to the High Commissioner. Most letters were asking for more materials to read.

In one letter, a prisoner asked the High Commission for an Al-Quran complete with Malay translations for him to read while serving his time in Brunei.

Other letters, along with asking for books, also requested to see the High Commissioner or his representatives to discuss about personal problems involving contacting or helping the prisoners' family members living in Malaysia. Evident in the letters of gratitude written to them, the representatives or the High Commissioner himself have tried to help the prisoners by trying to resolve the issues they wanted to discuss with them. The High Commission have also provided the prisoners with reading resources as requested.

During the meeting of the association, the High Commissioner, on the subject of the prisoners, said that even if they were convicted, they were still Malaysians and should be assisted.

The President of PWM, Simon D Gelan said that they would assist the High Commission in whatever way they can.

He added that the association fully supports the High Commissioner to consider the prisoners' requests and do what is needed to be done.

The prisoners' letters are available for viewing on the website of the High Commission of Malaysia in Brunei (http://www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/seribegawan).

The Brunei Times