Malaysia's Prison Inmates Sell Over 60,000 Jars Of Raya Cookies This Year
They even had to temporarily pause sales to replenish their stock.
By May Vin Ang — 25 Mar 2025, 03:52 PM
Thanks to the power of social media, Raya cookies made by Malaysian inmates have been flying off the shelves this year!
According to Bernama, the cookies, sold at the My Pride Product Gallery in the Kajang Prison Complex, gained widespread attention after TikTok influencer Tun Laila (@yarafaee) shared a video about them.
She highlighted the various products available at the gallery — including cookies, frozen food, batik clothing, and furniture — all handmade by inmates through the Malaysian Prisons Department's rehabilitation programme.
The video quickly went viral, racking up over 4.5 million views and spurring many Malaysians to visit the gallery.
Watch Tun Laila's video here:
The response was so exceptional this year, that the gallery even had to temporarily pause sales to replenish their stock
Commissioner-General of Prisons Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak told Bernama that over 60,000 jars have been sold as of 21 March.
"Every year, we sell these Raya cookies, but this year's response has been extraordinary. Congratulations to the prison inmates and institutions nationwide involved in this year's production," he said.
He added that the Raya cookies were made by more than 300 inmates from prisons around the country, including Pokok Sena, Seberang Perai, Tapah, Batu Gajah, Kajang Women's Prison, Sungai Udang, Kluang, Simpang Renggam, Bentong, and Pengkalan Chepa.
He said the participating prisons submitted over 80 product samples for taste-testing, with 40 varieties of cookies and snacks making the final cut, including pineapple tarts, Swiss tarts, almond chocolates, semperit biscuits, rempeyek, muruku, fried tempeh, and many more.
He added that the overwhelming response not only reflects the quality of the products made, but also the success of the rehabilitation programme by the Malaysian Prisons Department
The initiative aims to equip inmates with valuable skills to help their reintegration into society upon their release, as well as give them an opportunity to earn a small stipend.
Proceeds from sales will go towards the Inmates Welfare and Rehabilitation Trust Fund, and to support the procurement of raw materials, facility upgrades, TVET skill training, and other activities.
Here's where you can find the My Pride Product Gallery:
Address:
Galeri Jualan Produk My Pride, Seksyen Vokasional & Industri, Bahagian Pengurusan Banduan, Ibu Pejabat Penjara Malaysia, Bukit Wira, Kajang, Malaysia 43000
Opening hours:
9am to 4.30pm (Daily)
