KUALA LUMPUR – A former juvenile detainee who spent 24 years in custody and earned a doctorate while incarcerated was granted a royal audience with the Sultan of Selangor yesterday.
In a post on its official Facebook page, the Selangor Royal Office said Malik Yatam met Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah in an emotional and reflective audience that lasted nearly an hour.
The palace said the meeting marked the first time Sultan Sharafuddin had personally received a former prisoner who was later granted a full royal pardon. The audience was described as solemn and deeply moving, as Malik recounted his journey from entering prison as a teenager to walking free as a doctorate holder.
Now 39, Malik had been detained since 2001 under a detention order at the Sultan’s Pleasure after committing an offence at the age of 14. As he was a minor, he was spared the death penalty, but the order carried no fixed release date.
During more than two decades in custody, he pursued his studies with determination and obtained a PhD in business administration at Kajang Prison, becoming the first known Malaysian detainee to earn a doctorate while incarcerated.
He was released on Dec 2024, after receiving a full pardon in conjunction with the Sultan’s birthday celebrations.
The decision came after the Selangor Pardons Board convened in Nov 2024 to review his case in detail, taking into account his rehabilitation, academic accomplishments and personal transformation.
During the audience, Sultan Sharafuddin asked about Malik’s adjustment to life after his release and his plans for the future. His Royal Highness was said to be deeply moved by Malik’s perseverance and remarked that he deserved a second chance.
The Sultan also advised him to safeguard his family’s good name and to continue striving to improve his life through honest effort and meaningful contributions to society. – February 4, 2026