EMPLOYERS’ groups and trade associations have welcomed the Human Resources Ministry’s proposal not to disclose prison records of employees as a step in the right direction to ensure that these individuals are given a chance to rejoin the workforce.

This will also prevent these individuals from being subject to stigma at the workplace from their colleagues, as having a prison record does not mean one is incapable of becoming a good worker, they added.

The employers’ groups were reacting to Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan’s suggestion that prison records be kept confidential and exclusive to certain government departments and the police, and not to third parties like employers.

Ding Hong Sing, president of the SME Association of Malaysia, said society generally has a bad opinion of those with prison records.

“If an individual wants to come back to the workforce but everyone knows that he has been to jail, there is already a stigma and it might affect their self-confidence,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“It is best that prison records are kept confidential in such instances.”

Ding, who is in the food industry, told of discussions he has had with the Prisons Department on recruiting ex-convicts to the workplace.

“Last year, I met with a prison director and we talked about how to assist those who have been released from prison.

“The food industry has now started recruiting former prisoners due to a lack of staff. There are now several of them in the workforce.”

While they may lack work experience, the company and the person in charge will provide training as long as these individuals are willing to learn, Ding added.

“Everyone makes mistakes, but they deserve another chance. We are willing to give them an opportunity as long as they don’t squander it.”

Ding acknowledged that while he is open to recruiting ex-prisoners, not all employers feel the same way.

He said the quality of a worker can be judged by their performance and attitude, not whether they have a prison record.

“If they are willing to work and learn, and they do well, they can even get a salary increase.

“But if they turn up to work one day and disappear the next, we won’t keep them.”

Saravanan had said that former inmates who applied for jobs found it difficult to get hired after background checks revealed their prison records.

Malaysian Garments Wholesale Merchants Association president Ang Say Tee, meanwhile, said that having a prison record does not mean one will perpetually be a bad person.

“It is a good move to reintegrate former prisoners into society,” Ang said of Saravanan’s proposal.

As to the possible dangers or consequences of hiring prisoners, Ang, like Ding, said any employee, with or without a prison record, will have to work hard and perform well to earn the company’s trust.

“Even if someone doesn’t have a prison record, employers will still observe their attitude and behaviour. Just because someone doesn’t have a prison record doesn’t mean that they are good workers either,” said Ang who is also the chairman of the Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association.

Malaysia-Singapore Coffeeshop Proprietors Association president Wong Teu Hoon said that it is quite common for employers in the restaurant business to hire ex-prisoners.

“We should give them a chance and not discriminate against them as long as they want to change.”

Wong said that when interviewing for jobs, those who have prison records are generally forthcoming and inform their potential employers of their status.

“They are upfront so that we understand their past and why they were in prison. Most bosses in the food and coffee shop business will hire them.

“The only worry is if they were drug users. They may suffer a relapse and affect their colleagues or they may steal to feed the habit.”

No decision has been made and Saravanan had said he would discuss his proposal with Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin. – November 25, 2021.