Crime does not pay

Jun 02, 2023

By Mercy Almeida Stellus
The Parish Integral Human Development Ministry (PIHDM) of the Church of St Jude, organised a talk on Gangsterism and the Danger of Drug Abuse in collaboration with the parish catechists. The talk was held on May 20 for Form Three to Form Five students.

The speaker, Tuan TTP Philip Pangkat, shared his extensive experience working in the field. He provided insights into the reality of life behind prison bars, drawing from his personal experiences. Tuan Philip supplemented his stories with pictures depicting life inside a prison.

He emphasised the perils of gangsterism and drug abuse, highlighting the severe punishments prisoners face, such as caning and being on death row.

He urged the students to steer clear of smoking or vaping, as these habits often serve as the gateway to drug abuse. Additionally, he reminded them that their bodies should remain free from evil contamination, as they are considered the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Charles Savary, the Parish Prison Ministry coordinator, expressed his gratitude to Fr Vincent Thomas for his assistance in organising the programme. He also extended his appreciation to the speaker, teachers, and students for attending the talk. When asked about their takeaways from the event, one of the students mentioned their curiosity about prisoners’ lives in Malaysia, including the significance of their different coloured uniforms.

The student stated that Tuan Philip’s talk shed light on prison life, although it did not delve too deeply into the subject. Overall, the students found the talk to be informative and it fulfilled the intended purpose.

PIHDM coordinator, Augustine Ratnasamy, presented a small token of appreciation to Tuan Philip for his valuable contribution as the speaker.