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to Kajang for life

Chapter 5: To Kajang for Life

WAS INITIALLY charged under Section 3A of the Penal Code
I for discharging a firearm. However, my lawyer convinced
the court that there was insufficient evidence to incriminate
me. Thinking that I would be set free, I was exhilarated, but
my excitement was short-lived.
I was subsequently charged under Section 4 of the Penal
Code for possession of a dangerous weapon. The lawyer
explained to me that if I was found guilty, it would mean life
imprisonment. I was deeply worried and could not face the
thought of being in prison for the rest of my life.
The trial was held at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, then
situated at Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad. This was before it
shifted to Jalan Duta. My lawyer had prepared me in advance,
saying there was very little chance of winning the case. He
was right. On September 13, 1988, the moment finally came
for judgment to be pronounced. I was convicted of robbery
and possession of a firearm, and sentenced to natural life
imprisonment without a date for release. I was devastated.
By then, I had spent two years at Pudu Jail. Being moved
now to Kajang Prison to serve my sentence, I felt I was
doomed to die in prison. My first three years at Kajang were
the hardest for me. I blamed everyone for the punishment I
received. For me, there was little meaning left in life. What
hope can there be for a prisoner serving a life sentence, never
to experience freedom again in this lifetime?
I found myself sinking into self-pity. “Why didn’t my
leader Li Chai help me? I have given my whole life to serve
him and helped him solve all his toughest cases. Why couldn’t
the lawyer that he hired help to fight my case? Is there really
no hope? Am I going to rot here?” I was like a drowning man,
with no lifeline to hang on to.
After I was sentenced, Sei Ngan Chai was also sent to
Kajang Prison. On a number of occasions when we bumped

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