SHAH ALAM, Feb 4 — Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj today granted an audience to Malik Yatam, the first person in Malaysia to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) during his prison sentence.
According to the Selangor Royal Office, the meeting was the first of its kind between the Sultan and an ex-convict, who received a full pardon during His Royal Highness’ birthday in 2024.
The meeting was quiet and melancholic, with the Ruler asking about Malik’s life after being freed and his future plans.
The Sultan said he was touched by Malik’s life journey and opined that the PhD-holder deserves a second chance to build a new life.
“I am very touched by Malik’s life journey and feel he deserves a second chance. I strongly considered his pardon based on all the factors presented to me,” His Royal Highness said in a statement today.
Malik was freed on December 11, 2024, after being imprisoned for 24 years under the Sultan’s Pleasure Detention order — a sentence without a release date.
Sultan Sharafuddin bestowed a full pardon on Malik after a Pardons Board meeting on November 24, 2024.
Malik’s sentence began in 2001 when he was 14, and was not subject to the death penalty as he was a juvenile when he committed the offence.
Now 39 years old, Malik has earned a PhD in business administration, thanks to his pursuit of studies at Kajang Prison.
During the emotional meeting, Sultan Sharafuddin advised Malik to continue improving his quality of life and contribute positively to society.
