DDHK.ORG - On Sunday, 18 October 2020, the team Dompet Dhuafa Hong Kong (DDHK) made another visit to Tai Lam Correctional Institution, one of the prisons in the Land of Concrete. One of those who took part in this visit, Yudi Ja'far Sudirman, an Indonesian citizen who works for a shipping management company in Hong Kong and is active in the Halaqoh Expatriates recitation which is routinely held at the DDHK office every Friday night.
For Sudirman, this is his first time visiting a Hong Kong prison. The former sailor with three children also gets a good first impression of the service system provided by the Hong Kong prison management authority.
"They provide a strict service, orderly procedures, and are firm, but not scary. The staff is very cooperative and friendly. Very good structuring procedure flow. Even for me, this is the first time I have no difficulties and no confusion, as long as I follow the existing procedures, ”said Sudirman.
Reflecting on the prison service in the country, which has a lot of controversy and negative rumors, at first, Sudirman admitted he was worried. But after arriving, his worries immediately evaporated, because he found a very different reality between the conditions of prison services in Indonesia and Hong Kong.
“His spirit is truly serving the community. From the first checkpoint to the building's door, there will be transportation such as a golf car with a capacity of 11 people, ”he said.
Bring books to bandages
Before the visit was carried out, the Indonesian citizens who wanted to be visited submitted a letter of request to be visited to DDHK. The letter also contains a request for assistance to bring along equipment that the prison allows but does not provide.
"Yesterday we brought pencils, powder, sanitary napkins, books, and wet tissue. From the prison it has been determined, what can be brought in a month. There is a list. Including, the brand and size, "said Sudirman.
During a visit a week ago, there was a pen which officers refused and was not allowed to give to a prisoner who wanted to be visited. Because, a week ago the prisoner was also visited and brought a pen.
"It turns out that each prisoner can only receive three pens a month. They (prisons) have data, ”said the man who had visited Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Australia and Qatar when he was 15 years as a sailor.
Ask for prayer
Sudirman said that a prisoner could only be visited by 3-4 people. Even then, it is limited to only 30 minutes.
“The atmosphere is like in a movie. There are 10 transparent glass booths. When we arrive, we are told what booth number we have to come, the one we want to visit is already in that booth when we arrive. I was yesterday at booth number 4. Together with another volunteer, we communicated with the prisoners using the telephone, ”he said.
Due to the time limit, Sudirman listened more to what the prisoner had to say. In fact, he had previously wanted to ask questions related to various activities and conditions in prison.
"30 minutes seemed very short. Do not let it, because we asked a lot, in the end the message he wanted to convey did not come true, "said Sudirman.
The detainee visited by Sudirman said that this week he is facing his first trial, after undergoing a legal process for eight months. "His heart is still uncertain about how to explain the problems he is facing to his family, especially to his children. According to his confession, he was framed by his cousin. Then we motivate him, "said the man who has lived in Hong Kong 2,5 years.
Starting from the study in Halaqoh
Sudirman said that he could join a prison visit starting from a study in Halaqoh in 2019, before the Covid-19 outbreak. In that study, Ustadz discussed the development of Islam as a religion whose adherents are a minority in Hong Kong.
During the discussion about residents in Hong Kong, the General Manager of DDHK, M. Imam Baihaqi, said that regarding social programs, the institutions he leads regularly make visits to prisons, meeting Indonesian citizens who are currently serving detention. "At that time, Pak Imam offered, whoever was interested could participate. I told Pak Imam, if there is a chance I can be invited, so I know what conditions are like, "said the husband of Tika Novika.
"When there was an agenda for a visit to the prison, he informed me again. Alhamdulillah, I saw the schedule, I can. Then Pak Imam asked for my personal data to be submitted to the prison a few days before the day of the visit, ”said Sudirman.
The visit itself was aimed at encouraging Indonesians who were detained in Hong Kong prisons. Apart from providing assistance in the form of equipment they need. "For me personally, after coming there (prison), I became more grateful, how lucky we are who live outside the prison and are free to choose the life that God gives. At the same time, many of our brothers have received God's rebuke in different ways that are more difficult to live with, ”said the man who has a birthday on December 26. [DDHK News]
