Page 10 - BOOK inside pages as at Aug 8

Introduction: This is His Story

t 2.05pm on Monday July 25, 2016, Sam Kian Seng, 59,
Awalked out of Kajang Prison a free man.
Just 31 years old when he was arrested in 1988, he was
sentenced to natural life imprisonment for possession of a
dangerous weapon, and spent a total of 28 years in the now
defunct Pudu Jail and Kajang Prison.
Once a notorious gangster who had terrorised the streets
of Chow Kit, Sam had come to terms with the probability
that he would die in prison. But his life took an unexpected
turn when he received a royal pardon with the help of a
community of supportive individuals who campaigned
tirelessly for his release.
Malaysian Care staffer Daniel Liew had reached out to Sam
when he was in Kajang prison. Church activist Samuel Ho, as
well as a high ranking prison officer, had separately brought
his case to the attention of the Star Media Group managing
director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Wong
Chun Wai. Prison wardens who readily acknowledged the
transformation in Sam’s life also supported his application for
clemency.
The appeal was made to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2016
and miraculously, Sam was pardoned on the basis of good
behaviour.
Sam attributes his release wholly to God. He is also very
thankful to the many who had prayed for him while he was
in prison. Their prayers, he says, brought him to a crossroads
and he decided to turn over a new leaf. The transformation
was not immediate, but it was a 180-degree turn. It was a new
beginning, a new lease of life. In his own words, he is now
truly born again.
On September 1, 2016, just weeks after his release, Sam
spoke at the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship (FGBMF)
chapter at Damansara Utama. His testimony touched many

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BOOK inside pages.indd 10 08/08/2018 05:43 PM