He was once a 14-year-old inmate, caught in a tragic moment that led to the loss of a life and his own freedom. For 24 years, Dr Malik Yatam lived behind prison walls, carrying the weight of that incident while navigating a system that gave him no fixed release date. 

Yet inside prison, where most stories end, his began to change. Through discipline and determination, Dr Malik Yatam transformed himself from an inmate into a PhD holder, proving that education can reshape even the most difficult paths. 

Today, he stands as a free man, rebuilding his life, reconnecting with his family, and using his story to guide others away from the mistakes he once made.

And this Hari Raya, for the first time, he finally understood what it truly means to come home.

The Journey of Dr Malik Yatam

Born into a family facing financial hardship in Sabah, Dr Malik Yatam was forced to leave school early. As a young teenager, he worked various jobs to support himself and contribute to his family’s needs.

His last job before leaving Sabah was at a restaurant in Kota Kinabalu, where he worked long hours for a modest income. At that age, education had already taken a back seat to survival.

When an opportunity came to work in Kuala Lumpur with a promised salary of RM800 a month, it felt like a turning point.

“At the time, I was still young. I wanted to help my family and continue my studies. When an agent offered me a job in Kuala Lumpur with a salary of RM800 a month, I saw it as a big opportunity,” he recalled.

It was a decision made with hope.

But it led to something else entirely.

From Opportunity to Exploitation

Upon arriving in Peninsular Malaysia, the reality faced by Dr Malik Yatam was starkly different from what he had been promised.

Instead of a stable job, he was forced into labour under harsh conditions. He worked from morning until midnight without rest, and for months, he was not paid at all.

When he questioned his employer, he was silenced.

“For the first few months, I did not receive any salary. When I asked, my employer told me not to question it and said he was keeping the money,” he said.

The situation escalated further into physical abuse. Malik was beaten for making mistakes and lived under constant control. He had no freedom, no income, and no clear way out.

“I was beaten for being slow and for making mistakes. I was only 14 at the time and did not know how to cook. I tried my best, but it was never enough.”

After several failed attempts to escape, one final confrontation changed everything.

A Moment That Changed a Lifetime

At just 14 years old, Dr Malik Yatam found himself in a life-altering situation.

“One night, I saw an opportunity when the door was open. I tried to run, but my employer caught me and began beating me again. I was trying to defend myself.

“At that moment, I grabbed a knife and swung it to stop him from attacking me,” he said.

That resulted in the death of his employer. He was later arrested and charged.

Because he was a minor, he was not sentenced to death. Instead, he was placed under a detention order without a fixed release date.

“I was around 14 years old when I was arrested and remanded in 2001. Because I was underage, I was not sentenced to death, but I remained in prison for 24 years,” he said.

For many, such a sentence would have marked the end of any future.

For Dr Malik Yatam, it became the beginning of transformation.

Rebuilding Through Education Behind Bars

While in prison, Dr Malik Yatam made a decision that would ultimately redefine his life. He chose education.

In an environment with limited resources and little structure for learning, he remained disciplined. He studied consistently, often creating makeshift study spaces using whatever was available around him. 

Step by step, he completed his PMR, SPM, and STPM, each milestone reflecting not only academic progress but also a shift in mindset.

At a critical point, when financial limitations threatened to halt his studies, unexpected help arrived. An anonymous donor stepped forward to fully sponsor his Bachelor’s degree at Open University Malaysia, amounting to RM34,000.

To this day, Dr Malik Yatam has never discovered the identity of the individual who made this possible, but the impact of that support changed the course of his life.

With renewed determination, he continued his studies at a higher level. He pursued postgraduate education and eventually completed a Doctor of Philosophy, focusing on the role of education in helping former inmates reintegrate into society.

He became the first known Malaysian inmate to obtain a PhD while serving his sentence at Kajang Prison, a milestone that stands as a powerful testament to resilience, discipline, and the transformative power of knowledge.

A Royal Pardon and a New Beginning

In December 2024, Dr Malik Yatam was granted a royal pardon by the Sultan of Selangor.

The decision marked the end of his 24-year imprisonment and recognised his transformation during that time.

Following his release, Malik had to adapt to life outside prison. It required rebuilding relationships, understanding a world that had changed, and finding a new purpose.

One of the most meaningful moments after his release was his audience with the Sultan.

“It felt like I was getting advice from a father, for me to live better and make full use of this second chance,” he shared.

Today, Dr Malik Yatam is focused on creating a meaningful and sustainable future.

He runs a chilli farming business in Batang Kali, Selangor, cultivating thousands of polybags. At the same time, he actively shares his story through talks and is preparing to publish a book about his journey.

More importantly, he is driven by a larger mission.

“My vision is to produce entrepreneurs among former inmates. When they leave prison, they often face rejection from employers and society because of their past. That is why some go back to a life of crime. I want to change that,” he said.

The First Raya That Felt Real for Dr Malik Yatam

At the age of 40, Dr Malik Yatam returned to his kampung in Kota Marudu, Sabah, to celebrate Hari Raya. It was his second Raya as a free man, but more importantly, it was the first time he truly understood its meaning.

This time, he was not just attending. He was creating the experience himself.

From preparing the house to organising meals and bringing together family members from different backgrounds, he stepped into a role he had never experienced before.

“Alhamdulillah, this year I celebrated Raya in my kampung in Sabah. It was very meaningful because for the first time, I was able to really create that Raya atmosphere with my family,” he said.

This Hari Raya marked a turning point, not only for Dr Malik Yatam as an individual, but also for his family. For the first time, he brought together relatives from across Sabah, including both Muslim and non-Muslim family members, with the intention of rebuilding bonds that had been fractured over the years.

His father, who had embraced Islam, passed away in 2023, while his mother, now 65, converted in 2018. The diversity within his family made this gathering even more meaningful.

“My intention is to bring everyone together, regardless of their background. Raya is about strengthening silaturahim,” he shared.

Now married for about a year, Dr Malik Yatam took full responsibility for organising the celebration, with the support of his wife.

“Last year, I did not really celebrate Raya. I was not married yet and did not know how to create that environment. This year was different. My siblings came back from Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, and we planned everything together. It felt complete,” he said.

Dr Malik Yatam: From Prison to PhD and a Meaningful Second Chance

The story of Dr Malik Yatam is not just about prison or the past. It is about change and the possibility of starting again.

Through education, discipline, and resilience, Dr Malik Yatam transformed his time in prison into something meaningful. What could have been years lost became years of growth, learning, and self-reflection.

Today, he is not only rebuilding his own life, but also helping others find a way forward, especially those who face rejection after leaving prison.

His message is simple, but powerful.

“Appreciate your freedom. Do not get involved in crime. And seek knowledge for as long as you can,” he said.

His Raya this year carried a deeper meaning.

It was more than a celebration. It was a reminder that second chances matter, and that with the right choices, a new beginning is always possible.


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