Written by Abdul Rahman Fiqri Bin Khairul Anuar, Aminah Binti Jaffar, Fatin Mezatul Aqilah Binti Abdul Khalid, Muhammad Yusri Bin Abdul Rahman, Nur Athirah Binti Shamshudin, Nur Ain Qamareeah Binti Mohamad Isham, Ummi Izzatti Binti Ismail, Winne Ledy Anak Sarama (3rd Year Student, Social Work Program, FSSH Unimas)
CARE Project Highlights the Power of Redemption and Reintegration for Former Drug Offenders
What does it mean to feel like you’ve died and come back to life – mati hidup semula?
For many former drug offenders, this powerful Malay expression captures the emotional and social journey of starting over after incarceration. On 25 May 2025, as part of the CARE Project: Community Wellbeing and Crime Prevention, Social Work students from UNIMAS organized an impactful awareness talk titled “Reality of Life: From Prison to New Life.”
The speaker, Tuan Mohamad Fuardy Bin Sahmat, a seasoned Parole Officer from Kuching with over 20 years of service, shed light on the realities of life after prison, especially for individuals entangled in drug-related crimes.
Real Stories, Real Impacts
The primary objective of the talk was to provide insight into the real-life experiences of former drug addicts who have undergone rehabilitation. These are individuals who often face social rejection, employment difficulties, and deep personal struggles as they try to re-enter society. “Many of them feel like they’re living a new life after death,” shared Tuan Fuardy. “Mati hidup semula is not just a phrase, it’s their daily truth.”
Through his talk, participants gained a new understanding of how compassion, support, and opportunities can change lives.
Life in Prisons, and After …
Tuan Fuardy described the structured routine of life in prison, where inmates are offered vocational training in areas such as tailoring, baking, and weaving. Some develop high-value skills, producing songket or pastries that are marketable to the public.
But reintegration is not easy. Many former inmates rely on government programs like I-Kembali and E-Life, which provide employment support and business grants. These efforts offer vital bridges for ex-offenders to return to society with dignity and purpose.
Breaking the Stigma
Another key message of the talk was the importance of community support and inclusion. The second objective was to encourage society to stop judging individuals by their past and instead help them rebuild their futures.
This aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies and calls for justice and institutional support for all.
As students listened to the stories of hardship and hope, many reported a shift in perspective—from viewing ex-prisoners with caution, to seeing them as people in need of a second chance. Or in the words of one participant, “We don’t realize how much strength it takes to come back from that kind of life. It truly is mati hidup semula.”
A Learning Experience Beyond the Classroom
The event formed part of a four-day CARE Project initiative under the Deviant and Rehabilitation Services course, supervised by Dr Kamsiah Ali. For students, it was more than just a class activity. It was a transformative learning experience. They didn’t just study theories of deviance and rehabilitation. They witnessed the human stories behind the statistics, and they left with a deeper understanding of the role future social workers play, not just in recovery, but in prevention and empowerment.
Moving Forward
The CARE Project continues to serve as a meaningful bridge between university and community, theory and practice, empathy and action. By organizing awareness programs such as this, UNIMAS students not only enrich their own education, but they also contribute to building a more inclusive and just society where even those who have fallen have the opportunity to rise again. Because sometimes, the greatest transformation begins the moment someone is given the chance to feel mati hidup semula: alive again, with purpose and hope.