Christian rehabilitation centre gives former inmates second chance
PETALING JAYA: Two Malaysian men, once lost to crime and addiction, are now rebuilding their lives through rehabilitation, faith and second chances.
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 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.”
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 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 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.
