After 23 years in prison, Abah Hayat seeks to guide youth away from crime

ALOR SETAR - Former life-sentence prisoner Khairul Anuar Zakaria, who spent over 23 years behind bars, described the experience as "valuable" because it allowed him to reflect on himself and grow into a better person.

The 64-year-old, known as "Abah Hayat" among fellow inmates, said his time in prison strengthened his connection with Allah and enabled him to share knowledge with others, thanks to religious teachers in the prison.

"Prison is often viewed as a severe punishment for criminals, but it’s up to the individual to decide whether they want to improve or not. Inmates have opportunities to learn various subjects, request books, and are supported by teachers," he shared, adding that he deepened his religious knowledge with the unwavering support of his family.

Speaking from his home in Kampung Padang Hasan, Bukit Pinang, he said he had prepared himself for life after his release from Pokok Sena Prison on Oct 3.

He now hopes to guide young people, steering them away from criminal paths that could jeopardise their future.

"While in prison, I was assigned as an assistant murabbi (religious mentor) and met many young inmates in their 20s who had fallen into crime. It deeply saddened me to see these youths in such a situation, and it was even more disheartening when some of them, after being released, ended up back in prison.

"I don't entirely blame them, as I know how hard it is for former prisoners to be accepted by society. I’m experiencing this myself - it’s incredibly difficult, especially for those struggling to adapt and overcome the challenges," he said.

Abah Hayat acknowledged the gravity of his crime but said he had served his punishment. Life in prison, he said, had taught him profound lessons.

When asked about his hopes for the future, he expressed a desire to share his story as a cautionary tale for others. He is open to invitations to speak, believing that by doing so, he can contribute to society.

For now, he actively shares his journey on TikTok with the help of his children, who fully support his continued role as a murabbi after his release.

In 2008, Abah Hayat was sentenced to death for the murder of a blacksmith whose body had been dismembered into eight parts. However, he received a royal pardon from the Sultan of Kedah in May 2018, which commuted his sentence from death row to life imprisonment.

In February, following the government's decision to abolish life imprisonment, his case was brought back to the Alor Setar Court. His sentence was revised to 35 years in prison, starting from his 2001 arrest. - BERNAMA