08/01/2026

THURSDAY | JAN 8, 2026

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Ex-convicts rebuild lives through faith

leaving prison is basic stability, particularly access to food and housing. Second Chance operates primarily through private support and personal networks rather than government funding. Lew said financial considerations have never guided the mission. “My time is spent on people. Guidance, follow-up and staying connected – that’s what makes the difference. “Many genuinely want to change. But without the right structure, it is very hard.” At its core, Second Chance aims to provide more than shelter, offering stability, discipline and encouragement within a supportive setting. “Without compassion, this work cannot be sustained. But with consistency and care, lives could change.” – By Kirtinee Ramesh and Harith Kamal and Datuk Nordin Hassan. On Feb 8, 2024, the Court of Appeal upheld the Shah Alam High Court’s ruling to acquit and discharge Samirah, 51, who is Nazrin’s widow, and the two youths, now aged 20 and 23, of the charge. The three of them, together with an Indonesian woman, Eka Wahyu Lestari, who is still at large, were charged with murdering Nazrin, 45, at his residence in Mutiara Damansara between 11.30pm on June 13, 2018 and 4am the following day. – Bernama about staying away from drugs. It’s about learning to live properly, rebuild trust and take responsibility.” Paul Xavier Jolianos, 37, lost both parents by the age of seven and was raised by his grandmother in Ipoh. Growing up without parental guidance left a void in his life. At 16, Jolianos began smoking and using drugs, later selling them to support himself. His crimes escalated, including armed robbery, leading to multiple arrests. “I was a burden to my family and constantly in danger. I had nothing and nowhere to go.” In 2022, he was sentenced to five years and three strokes of the cane. While in prison, he turned to faith. “Something shifted. From that moment, my desire for drugs and cigarettes disappeared.” Through the Catholic Prison Ministry, Paul joined Second Chance Community Home, reconciled with family and rebuilt his life. “My friends now are pastors, mentors and people who guide me spiritually. I’ve wasted enough of my life. If not for God, I would not be alive today.” For Gan and Jolianos, a second chance did not come easily. However, with guidance, structure, and faith, it became possible.

He added that rehabilitation is not influenced by race, background or geography but by whether an individual is given the right tools and support. He also said education, counselling and regular follow-ups are essential in reducing relapse and reoffending. Having worked in prison-related rehabilitation since 1990, he said he has never sought public recognition. Instead, he views personal transformation as the measure of success. Interest in the Second Chance model has recently grown, with prison officers from other regions, including the East Coast, approaching Lew to explore similar collaborations. From his experience, one of the most pressing needs for those woke up and my teammates were gone.” Police later raided his hotel room, arrested him, and he was jailed for four years in France. Returning to Malaysia with savings, he relapsed. “I thought I could manage my life again, but drugs, gambling, everything came back.” Estranged from his family and homeless for a time, he drifted between odd jobs. During the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, he was arrested again for drug offences and sentenced to three years and five strokes of the cane. After release under the Licensed Prisoner Release programme, Gan was referred to the Second Chance Community Home, a Christian rehabilitation centre. “At first, I was hesitant because I’m Buddhist. But over time, the experience changed me. “Drugs destroyed my life, my family and my relationships. I hit rock bottom. “I didn’t know if I could redeem myself. But here, people believed in me again.” Today, after one and a half years, he has stopped smoking, no longer craves drugs and helps other former inmates adjust to life outside prison. “I want a new life. It’s not just

transition back into society. Over seven months, Lew noted clear improvements in his discipline, attitude and work ethic, with employers praising his reliability and consistency. “Our role is to prepare them so employers don’t face unnecessary disruption. When someone is ready, everyone benefits.” Residents are placed in jobs across differet sectors, including food services, laundrettes and other small and medium-sized businesses. Lew expressed hope that such placements would expand as collaboration grows between non-governmental organisations, counsellors, employers and the Prison Department. Drawing on decades of experience, Lew said reintegration efforts are most effective when engagement is sustained rather than symbolic. “Change doesn’t happen Gan earned a 10% commission, about €500 (RM2,368) daily, some of which he remitted to his family. After a few months, he was promoted to oversee other Malaysians. But seven months in, the operation collapsed. “After a night of heavy drinking, I On Sept 26, Fifa, in an official statement, confirmed that FAM and the seven players were found to have breached Article 22 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code. Fifa found that FAM had submitted documents believed to have been forged to verify the eligibility of the players. The national football governing body was fined about RM1.8 million, while each player was fined about RM11,000 and the seven players were suspended from all football-related activities for 12 months. On Nov 3, the Fifa Appeal Committee dismissed the appeals by FAM and the players involved, thereby upholding the earlier decision of the Disciplinary Committee. – Bernama pursue a computer diploma at Yayasan Melaka, hoping a change of environment would help. “But my heart wasn’t in it. I still hung out with bad friends, skipped classes and kept using drugs.” After completing the diploma, he returned home directionless. Not long after, he noticed a close friend who had suddenly become wealthy after disappearing for about a month. “I got curious, and he told me it was easy money. Just travel overseas and shop.” The “shopping” involved using fake credit cards to buy luxury goods. Tempted and with no responsibilities, he agreed, lying to his family that he was going to France to work as a waiter. In Penang, syndicate members prepared his fake passport and credit cards, and within days he flew to Europe. “They took us to Paris and Toulouse, visiting high-end shops. At my peak, I was spending about €5,000 (RM23,686) a day.”

o Christian rehabilitation centre gives former inmates second chance

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH AND HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Gan Teck Keat, 38, grew up in Klang, Selangor. After Form Five, he fell in with “the wrong crowd”. “Heroin, ganja and party drugs, it all started from there. “At first you think you’re just trying things, but slowly it becomes your life.” His family sent him to Malacca to

PETALING JAYA: Two Malaysian men, once lost to crime and addiction, are now rebuilding their lives through rehabilitation, faith and second chances.

Gan and Jolianos sit beside one another at the Second Chance Community Home , sharing stories and lessons from days gone by. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

Consistent support needed for post-prison reintegration: Humanitarian KUALA LUMPUR: Second Chance Community Home founder Daniel Lew expressed belief that overnight. If one person makes it back into society, that already matters.”

uncertain about what comes next. “Most of them come out with no plan. They need time to stabilise before they could make proper decisions,” said Lew. Volunteers frequently reach out to Second Chance when they encounter individuals who require temporary housing and guidance. Previously, Lew would personally collect newly released inmates from prison gates or nearby transport points. Today, placements are coordinated through the Prison Department under the Licensed Prisoner Release programme, following formal assessments. He said while many stays are brief, the home’s core focus remains unchanged: personal development, discipline and readiness for employment. Former inmate Paul Xavier Jolianos joined Second Chance after serving his sentence to help him FAM acting president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said the move was taken in line with the recommendation of the Independent Investigation Committee (IIC), chaired by former chief justice Tun Md Raus Sharif, after the committee recently completed its investigation report. In its full investigation report, the IIC put forward three recommendations to FAM following the document forgery issue involving the seven players, including lodging a police report to enable a comprehensive investigation to verify the origin of the suspected forged documents and to identify those responsible.

reintegration after prison succeeds only when support is consistent, practical and deeply human. Established in 2008, the transitional residence located at Jalan Pisang, Taman Shanghai in Kuala Lumpur works closely with faith-based prison outreach groups to help former inmates prepare for life after release. The groups, including the Catholic Prison Fellowship Association, Prison Fellowship Malaysia and Malaysian Care, regularly conduct classes and mentoring sessions in prisons across the Klang Valley and in other areas such as Bentong. Through these visits, long-term relationships are often formed between volunteers and inmates. As release dates draw closer, many prisoners admit they are

45 reports made on football forgery fiasco KUALA LUMPUR: Police have received 45 reports to date in connection with alleged document forgery involving seven heritage players of the Harimau Malaya national football team. allegations of forged documents involving the heritage players.

Court upholds acquittal in Cradle Fund CEO murder case

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court upheld the acquittal of Samirah Muzaffar and two teenagers on the charge of murdering Cradle Fund CEO Nazrin Hassan eight years ago. A three-judge panel led by Court of Appeal president Datuk Abu Bakar Jais yesterday unanimously dismissed the prosecution’s final appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge Samirah and the two youths of the murder charge. The other judges on the panel were Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said statements have been recorded from eight individuals to assist in the investigation. “An investigation paper has been opened under Section 420 of the Penal Code.” The case is being investigated following a police report lodged by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) at the Petaling Jaya police headquarters on Dec 24, concerning