Fully reformed: Chong rebuilt his life with the support of a church in Johor Baru.
JOHOR BARU: When David Chong was released from prison over 30 years ago, he was left with little support to keep him from returning to his old ways.
Chong was put behind bars in August 1978 for drug-trafficking offences and served his time for 13 years, five months and 11 days at the Penang Prison.
“I got out of prison in 1992 and got a job as a showroom furniture salesman in Singapore shortly after. After being in jail for so long, it was not easy for me to get used to life outside, and I had little support at that time.
“Unfortunately, I later got addicted to drugs again after getting to know a colleague who was also an addict. I felt helpless as I really wanted to get my life back together.
“I went back to my old ways for a few years before reaching out for help from a church. It was a saving grace for me. I found endless support through the church and have never looked back since then.
“Slowly, I was able to get my life back together. I got married and have two children who are now both in their 20s,” he told The Star.
Chong, now 69, said the Calvary Community Church’s charity arm, Pusat Kebajikan Kalvari, has helped dozens of former drug addicts and convicts get their life back together by providing a strong support system.
“I try to also do my part in helping others, including those like me, through the charity arm. For me, the support and passion for assisting former convicts and drug addicts in getting their lives back together is the most important thing.
Back-up plan: James believes the government’s initiative needs a strong support system.
“Efforts to assist in giving former inmates jobs is much welcomed, but I believe providing support that comes sincerely from the heart is equally important,” he said.
On Thursday, Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar said his ministry was targeting to give employment to a total of 15,000 former prisoners, Henry Gurney school inmates and convicts due for release soon.
He said there were currently 77,000 prisoners who could become productive workers and be hired upon their release, reducing the country’s dependence on foreign workers.
Johor Baru Shechinah Association president James Issachar, who runs a halfway home for former convicts, addicts and alcoholics, said the government’s initiative would bring more positive impact if it comes with a strong support system.
“It is not easy to rebuild their life after going through addiction and time in prison for so long. They need support to ensure they do not return to their old ways.
“I have come across cases where residents from my halfway home went back to drinking and taking drugs after being able to secure a job. While it is important to get rid of the stigma against former convicts and drug addicts, we must also make sure that they have ample support as they rebuild their lives.
“Giving jobs alone is not enough. The initiative should go hand in hand with providing a strong support system and some useful training that will allow them to have a wider range of job opportunities,” he said.
He said the ministry should also look into working with charity organisations that could help strengthen the initiative, especially in providing support for former inmates.
He added that employers also play a very important role in giving them a second chance and support and assistance as they work on themselves.
“A few employers have reached out to me to provide job opportunities to those in my halfway home. Some residents got jobs as security officers, lorry driver assistants, technicians, and helpers in farms and grocery shops.
“It is important to have employers who understand them and are willing to give them the time to learn,” he said.
