Former terrorist inmate develops food business through prison rehabilitation program

Jamaluddin, 49, a former terrorism convict released on parole in early 2025, has successfully developed a food business learned during rehabilitation at Sentul Special Prison in Bogor Regency, West Java. East Jakarta resident has expanded his Chicken Jepun business to employ 13 people, seven agents, 50 Chicken Jepun outlets, and supply ingredients to eight SPPG kitchens. “Alhamdulillah, this business has been running for a year since my early 2025 parole,” Jamaluddin said in Jakarta on Sunday. Today, Jamaluddin was given the opportunity to set up a stall at the Immigration Directorate General’s Passport Service Car Free Day (CFD) event. Jamaluddin was given the chance to introduce and market his processed food product, Chicken Jepun, a large nugget-style katsu. Jamaluddin produces 100 kg of Chicken Jepun daily, with a minimum daily turnover of Rp10 million. Jamaluddin was sentenced to four years in prison in 2022 for trespassing the Presidential Palace. However, due to good behaviour, he served only two years and two months. While at Sentul Prison, Jamaluddin participated in deradicalisation and entrepreneurship training programmes, including nugget-making. He was granted parole in early 2025 and is now a client of the East/North Jakarta Community Corrections Agency (Bapas). “My business started after my release when I was unsure what to do and ran out of money after three months,” he said. He then experimented with making Chicken Jepun, which has since grown to its current scale. “I am grateful for the entrepreneurship training I received in prison, which has provided me with useful skills to reintegrate into society,” Jamaluddin said. He is currently being assisted by the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) for BOPM management of his Chicken Jepun business. Immigration and Correction Ministry (Kemenimipas) spokesperson M. Akbar Hadi Prabowo stated that Jamaluddin is a client of the East/North Jakarta Community Corrections Agency (Bapas). “Mr Jamaluddin is a community client currently under supervision. Parolees are guided by PK, and his business is doing exceptionally well,” Akbar said.