contradicts international standards.12 Further, she elaborated that the lack of access to legal assistance will lead to longer remands and not receiving a fair trial, all of which would further add to overcrowding. Finally, she encouraged Malaysian politicians to engage with the Prison Department and detention centres in their respective constituency, to be the voice of those who are incarcerated and to speak against discrimination and stigma towards prisoners which exist at all levels. She ended her remarks with a hope to see the reforms made to address criminal justice policy starting with a simple reform especially in drug offences legislation and sentencing policies. 1.5. YB Datuk Jonathan Yasin, Deputy Home Affairs Minister II, Ministry of Home Affairs in his keynote address stated that the Prison Reform is fully supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Malaysia. As early as in 2018, the Ministry has aimed at addressing five main areas namely security and correctional, management of prisoners, rehabilitations, reintegration and probation, and community corrections. The transformation of the Malaysian prisons in Malaysia revolves issues faced by prisons such as overcrowding, access to health care and correctional activities. 13 He expressed his wish that all stakeholders comprising of government agencies and nongovernmental organisations to work together in supporting the agenda of prison reform in Malaysia. SESSION 1: PRISONS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA – WHERE ARE WE? 2.1. YBhg. Dato’ Haji Nordin bin Haji Muhamad, Commissioner General of Prisons, Department of Prison, Malaysia started his presentation with the evolution of the prison regime in Malaysia.14 YBhg Dato' Haji Nordin also explained that the early concept of prisons from 1800 to 1940 was solely for punishment and torture to instill public awareness and fear of crime. In 1950s, the modern concept of rehabilitation was implemented.15 The modern concept of rehabilitation was introduced in 1957 in the Malaysian prison system. During this period, vocational training, and rehabilitation programs were implemented throughout the country. Vocational programs were made the basis of the rehabilitation programs in 1960s. It began to expand into the introduction of rehabilitation programs outside known as the Ibrahim System. In 1995, the Prison Ordinance was replaced with the Prison Act 1995 and Prison Rules 2000.16 In 2004, the Human Development Programme was implemented as a holistic and integrated 12 Pre-trial detention increases the likelihood of abuse in criminal justice process. The conditions in pre-trial detention are much worse than prison. 13 Since one of the objectives of the transformation is to manage prisons, it is crucial to ensure that the solutions are in line with the rule of law, respecting individual human rights as well as in accordance with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Mandela Rules) and other international human rights standards governing the treatment of prisoners. 14 The history of prisons in Malaysia began in 1790 when a group of prisoners from India were brought to build Fort Cornwallis, a prison in Penang Island. 15 Based on the Prison Ordinance 1952 and Prison Rules and Regulation 1953. 16 Priority was given to the rehabilitation of inmates. 7