Going through numerous arrests: No one dreams of going to prison since childhood !

"Love is crucial, and societal love can influence a person to change themselves..."

Translate By: Fong Yen Fun
Image Editing: Tai Xin Yu

There is a prevailing prejudice in society towards ex-prisoner, which is not an easy task for ex-prisoner who want to start a new life. Fortunately for Jack (alias), faith has played an important role in his life and has helped him overcome many difficulties.

On the day of the interview, a slim and tall middle-aged man pushed open the door of the meeting room. He had his hand clasped around his bag and greeted each of us with a smile on his face, showcasing his friendly and enthusiastic personality.

Jack is now 45 years old, is an ex-prisoner with a criminal history that sets him apart from others. He has served time in prisons and barracks across various Malaysian states, as well as in a China prison for smuggling goods. These experiences are rooted in his upbringing within the gangster group.

Family environment contributed to the gangster group background

Jack reveals that his mother had a strong preference for girls rather than boys. Due to their impoverished circumstances, he had to work outside at a young age to support his sister's college education. As a result, his mother enrolled him in a martial arts club, which had connections to the gangster group at that time, and Jack gradually became involved with their organisation. As time went on, he became unable to break away from his connections to the gangster group and began engaging in illegal activities. Apart from smuggling tobacco and alcohol, his organisation also runs underground casinos and participates in the collection of illegal private 4D (a form of lottery).

"I was sent to a martial arts club when I was around 10 years old, and I began assisting the organisation with various tasks when I turned 15 years old. These included collecting protection money from others, engaging in fights, and aiding in the smuggling of goods such as tobacco and alcohol."

The Internal Security Act does not require a person to be proved guilty in open court in order to detain a person for a long period of time. (Image Source: Free Malaysia Today)

The Internal Security Act (ISA): dealing with organisations that are legally difficult to punish

In 2015, the Malaysia government cracked down on gangster group organisations through the Internal Security Act, resulting in the arrest of approximately 1,500 individuals associated with the organization to which Jack belonged. Jack was among those arrested.

"It would have been more challenging to sentence us under criminal law because we could simply use money to bail ourselves out of jail. However, under the Internal Security Act, we were unable to avail ourselves of that option. That's why Malaysia established the Internal Security Act to deal with us."

Jack recalls being taken to the police station numerous times, but each time he had a private lawyer who would bail him out. As long as they had sufficient funds, the lawyer could assist in resolving their charges. Every time Jack was arrested, the lawyer would arrive at the police station early, and Jack had to sign some paperwork and be released. Consequently, the police resorted to using the Internal Security Act to apprehend him, as this prevented him from hiring a lawyer.

Experience of being imprisoned

Jack had been involved in smuggling activities in China since 1997, smuggling goods such as mobile phones and computers. The flight to China from his location lasted only three hours, which was highly convenient for him. Besides engaging in smuggling operations, Jack was also involved in loan-sharking and the illegal operation of underground casinos. However, his activities came to an end in 2009 when he was apprehended by the China police. Subsequently, he was sentenced to one and a half years of imprisonment in Zhuhai, China.

In another instance, Jack revealed that the most daring act he had undertaken in Malaysia was to rescue his fellow detainees affiliated with his organisation from the hands of the police. This operation involved engaging in illegal activities and violent confrontations, Jack was eventually arrested and taken to a detention facility in a prison in Kuala Lumpur.

"I've been in barracks for an Internal Security Art decree and in prison for a violent crime, and there's a big difference between the two environments."

Jack mentioned that the barracks in Malaysia provide bed frames and mattresses for the residents. The daily routine in the barracks begins with waking up at 6 am for breakfast, followed by engaging in fruit planting activities in the orchard at 7 am. By noon, they return to the barracks to take a shower. After lunch, there is free time to engage in activities like playing basketball and badminton at the sports field. Furthermore, a religious teacher visits the barracks every week to conduct religious classes.

By comparison, life in prison is relatively monotonous. Inmates are often left with no option but to sleep on the floor using towels as padding, and there are limited opportunities for educational classes. However, one common aspect between prison and the barracks is the absence of toilet, and prisoners often have to use a hole in the ground in the restroom area for their sanitary needs.

"Boys have to squat to pee when they go to jail, that's the rule inside."

Especially in prisons with inmates from various countries, squatting as a means to fulfill physical needs is regarded as a practice aimed at maintaining cleanliness and demonstrating mutual respect towards fellow inmates. This cultural norm helps ensure a hygienic environment within the prison and promotes harmony among the diverse imprisoned population.

Jack's change

At one time, the prison warden put Jack in a dark room after he found him smuggling contraband such as telephones and cigarettes into his cell. It was a single room with no lights inside and only a small hole to see the outside world.

"The prison warden allowed one personal item to be carried by those who entered the dark room, so I carried the Bible that the pastor had given me."

Before Jack's imprisonment, the pastor had made multiple attempts to evangelize and invited him to church, but he had always declined. However, upon learning of Jack's imprisonment, the pastor provided him with a Bible. Initially, Jack brought the Bible into the dark room and used it as a makeshift pillow. In the dark room, aside from some exercise, he had very few activities to engage in.

Later, he underestimated the two-month-long confinement in a dark room. After a mere two weeks of being confined in the dark room, Jack realized that he had underestimated the challenges of such prolonged isolation. The closed environment took a toll on him, leaving him emotionally shattered. However, he found solace by reading the Bible every morning, utilizing the faint light that filtered through the darkness. Jack began to perceive the truth and relevance in the teachings of the Bible, finding them to be in alignment with human nature. From that point forward, within the confines of the dark room, he no longer felt consumed by darkness and loneliness. He even experienced a spiritual transformation akin to what Christians refer to as being "born again."

"When I gained a strong faith, I decisively cut all ties with the criminal underworld. Now, I am employed in the construction industry, and only a select few are aware of my previous life. To most people, I am perceived as a legitimate businessman, and my past remains unknown."

Jack shares this regrettable experience with us in this interview

The biggest regret in life

During his criminal life, Jack has missed out on two of the most important women, leaving him with a deep sense of regret.

"I deeply regret that my mother, who loved me unconditionally, passed away while I was in prison, preventing me from being able to bid her a final farewell."

Another source of regret for Jack is not being able to marry his ex-girlfriend whom he dated for 11 years. They met when she was studying in Malaysia, and she is from Macau. She stood by Jack throughout his transition from a rebellious youth to a gangster, even going through gunfire with him.

Jack recounted an incident when he and his ex-girlfriend were dining at a roadside stall in China. During that encounter, a group of three to four individuals approached them with knives, attempting to attack them. In the ensuing confrontation, Jack sustained a slash to his buttock, which has left a visible scar that remains to this day. Additionally, there was another harrowing incident where someone fired a shot at Jack while he was driving. Miraculously, the bullet ricocheted off the car, hitting him in the head, and he was left driving while bleeding. Although his ex-girlfriend emerged unscathed from these dangerous situations, Jack deeply regrets exposing her to such risks and is remorseful for the potential harm she endured.

Love can affect a change in a person

As a baptized Christian, Jack firmly believes that he has a God-given opportunity to be born again.

"I have a strong inclination to stand up for justice and a genuine desire to help others. Recognizing this aspect of my nature, God has used it to shape my life. As a result, I now actively engage with volunteers from our church, participating in events and initiatives aimed at making a positive impact on the lives of those around us."

Jack expressed that he has witnessed various aspects of prison life. He observed that some individuals repeatedly ended up back in prison because they believed that the prison environment was better than the outside world. In prison, they have access to basic necessities such as food and shelter without the need for financial resources. Consequently, for ex-prisoner aspiring to start a new life, the process of reintegrating into society and leaving behind the prison environment can be exceptionally challenging.

"I hope that society and religion can care for ex-prisoners in various ways because no one aspires to go to prison from a young age. Everyone desires a good life, and I believe that love is crucial in this process. The love shown by society has the power to influence individuals and encourage them to initiate positive change within themselves."