Many contacted by Bernama said they found it tough to survive when they came out of jail as they could not obtain jobs.
Ahmad (not his real name), 25, who studied until Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), was jailed for three years for stealing.
He believes the proposed incentive will encourage more employers to hire former prisoners.
“When I got out of prison in 2014, I came to Kuala Terengganu and tried to apply for a job at a petrol station but my employer found out about my past.
“I used to work at a restaurant as well but didn’t last long because my employer was always suspicious,” he said when contacted here today.
Another ex-convict, aged 35, who has a Diploma in Electric and Electronic Engineering, said employers did not want to hire former prisoners.
He said the government’s proposal would be able to “open the hearts” of employers as they would enjoy additional tax cuts.
However, he hoped employers would not take advantage of the situation by offering former convicts like him low salaries.
Another man, aged 35, who was released from jail in 2016 after serving a three-year sentence for drug possession, said the public, especially employers, should be aware that those like him had paid the price for their crime.
Terengganu Welfare, Women and Family Development and National Unity Committee chairman Hanafiah Mat said the federal government’s move is a good start in caring for former convicts.
“However, there is still no study or statistics that show former prisoners are capable of showing commitment to their employers.
“Therefore, I hope the federal government will place more emphasis on religion so that these former convicts truly repent and desire to start a new life. They must be ready to commit themselves fully to their employers,” he said.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, in his Budget 2019 speech yesterday, proposed additional tax deductions be given to companies which hire ex-convicts and pay them salaries of up to RM4,000 per month.
This is to ensure the former prisoners are not left behind and are able to contribute to economic growth.