Kota Kinabalu Central Prison will be the first penitentiary institution in Malaysia to have its own prison orchestra. Officials are targeting the year 2020 for the group to debut.
Sabah and Labuan Federal Territory Prisons director Suria Idris has said that the prison, along with partners Malaysia Music Teachers Training College (MMTC), will use music to rehabilitate inmates and also train them to be certified musicians and music educators.
The first phase begins this year with 24 inmates that have been selected through rigorous screening in order to participate in the project.
Prison officials hope that their orchestra will be on par with other ensembles. Similar projects have been launched in other prisons globally, and have proved successful in improving prisoner quality of life.
The project’s inception began under Suria’s initiative two years ago, with hopes that it would curb incidents within the prison such as violence and suicide through music therapy.
RM50,000 (US$12,500) worth of instruments has been donated towards the project via the MMTC.
The next phase will see an introduction of pianos and cellos. MMTC executive director Peter Chua added that he hoped that NGOs would take interest in the project, and lend their support.
Already on course to achieve their five-year targets in only three years, they hope to produce musicians, choir singers and educators through their instruction and rehabilitation.
Honestly, the loveliest thing we’ve read all day. Can’t wait to hear them.
