FESTIVE cookies made by inmates and sold at the My Pride Product Gallery in Kajang Prison Complex, gained an overwhelming surge in demand since the start of Ramadan.

Eager customers flocked to the gallery to check out the various types of Raya cookies and frozen foods available at prices much lower than those in the market.

The surge caused a temporary pause in sales for replenishment of stock.

Prisons commissioner-general Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak said that as of March 21, over 60,000 jars of Raya cookies made by more than 300 inmates from prisons all over the country were sold.

It included those located in Pokok Sena in Kedah, Seberang Perai in Penang, Tapah and Batu Gajah in Perak, Kajang Women’s Prison in Selangor, Sungai Udang in Melaka, Kluang and Simpang Renggam in Johor, Bentong in Pahang and Pengkalan Chepa in Kelantan.

“We sell these Raya cookies every year, but this year’s response has been extraordinary,” Abdul Aziz told Bernama.

He also congratulated the prison inmates and institutions involved in this year’s production of Raya goodies.

Abdul Aziz said preparations for this year’s sales began early, with participating prisons submitting over 80 product samples for evaluation.

Abdul Aziz: Over 60,000 jars of Raya cookies made by more than 300 inmates from prisons all over the country have been sold.

Following taste tests, more than 40 varieties of cookies and snacks, including rempeyek, muruku and fried tempeh, were selected for sale, at prices ranging from RM12 to RM30 per jar.

According to the Malaysian Prisons Department, the bestsellers this year include “Tart Nenas Geboo” from Pengkalan Chepa, “Cinta Hati Dahlia” from Seberang Perai and Swiss tarts from Bentong.

Other favourites include “Butang Baju Abang Jamil”, pineapple cheese tarts, almond chocolate cookies, black button cookies and peanut crunchy cookies.

The Malaysian Prisons Department said the overwhelming response to the festive cookies not only reflected the quality of these inmate-made products but also highlighted the success of the department’s rehabilitation programmes.

These initiatives aim to equip inmates with valuable skills to help them rebuild their lives after their release.

Proceeds from the product sales go to the Inmates Welfare and Rehabilitation Trust Fund, with participating inmates receiving incentives based on their skill levels.

The funds also support the procurement of raw materials, facility upgrades, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) skills training as well as rehabilitation activities, including religious events, sports, arts and cultural programmes.

A long-time customer, Nuraisha Rusli, said: “This is my fourth year buying these Raya cookies because of their quality and delicious taste, especially the pineapple tarts from Pengkalan Chepa.

“The price is very reasonable for such premium quality; it is much lower than what we can get from commercial sellers,” said the 41-year-old from Hulu Langat.