Paying it forward: Ganesan (left) and Muhammad Machap were given a second chance at life and now want to repay it.
PETALING JAYA: More than a year ago, a group of former detainees of preventive laws set out on a noble mission by forming an organisation to counsel and rehabilitate delinquent youths involved in undesirable activities like gangsterism.
Despite scepticism and objections from certain quarters, the reformed men, all former inmates of the now repealed Public Order and Prevention of Crime Ordinance, commonly known as the Emergency Ordinance (EO), were resolute in their mission and persevered.
Their efforts paid off in March last year when they managed to register the Former Detainees Welfare Organisation (Popoc) with the blessings of the police and Prisons Department, making it the first such group worldwide.
They went straight to work, eager to counsel wayward youths and guide them to the right path, but red tape and mistrust by the authorities have been a hindrance.Popoc president Ganesan M. Krishnan said the organisation aimed to give counselling and talks at several problematic schools, but failed to get approval from the authorities.
“We are prepared to be supervised by the authorities while we conduct our work.
“We just want to share our experiences with the young on how their lives can be ruined if they mingle with bad hats or go wayward.
“They need to know how miserable life can be in detention. Only those who have been there know how it’s like... the food, the outfits.
“It must be drilled into them that crime does not pay,” said the 58-year-old transport company operator who was released from a five-year detention in 2006.
Ganesan urged the authorities to help and allow Popoc to go ahead with its plans, adding that gangsterism among youths must be addressed.
He said that he had written to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and other agencies on the matter, offering to work with them to resolve the problems, but there were no replies so far.
“At one time, we (Popoc) had problems with the law, but we are now successful and reformed.
“We have families. Life gave us a second chance and we want to repay it,” said the father of three who studied up to Form Six.
Ganesan, who has been invited to speak at forums and contributed to research carried out by foreign universities on preventive laws, said that while the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) and Prevention of Crime Act (Poca) were effective in fighting crime, they could backfire in the long run if steps were not taken to evaluate and justify sending someone to detention.
He believes that detention meted out on those suspected of committing light offences could have undesirable consequences.
“We are not against preventive laws, but they should be applied with care if a suspect could not be charged in court due to the lack of evidence.
“A young first timer can be influenced by hardened inmates during detention and become a bigger criminal upon release,” he added.
Popoc secretary Muhammad Machap Abdullah said gangsterism, especially among youths, had become more serious over the years.
He said while displacement from villages and plantation estates was partly to be blamed, the root of the problem was the lack of parental supervision and guidance.
“Parents should question their children when they see them acquiring expensive items like jewellery when they are jobless and/or earning meagre salaries.
“They must be nipped in the bud before things get out of control,” said the 61-year-old former school teacher who spent two years in detention in the 1990s.
Muhammad Machap, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and English, and a Master’s in Business Administration, does private tutoring for students pursuing tertiary education.
He said that while most of Popoc’s 128 members were successful businessmen, there were also those who were struggling to make ends meet.
“We try to assist members who are in difficulties by getting them employment and giving them aid. This is also the role we play for ex-detainees.” he said.
He said that with funds raised through its members, Popoc had provided funds to five schools and given financial assistance to the needy for funeral expenses and welfare matters.
