I come from Malaysia and am currently in Hong Kong’s Stanley Prison.
I worked in furniture renovation in Malaysia. In 2022, the market turned bad and I was often unemployed. My family’s financial burdens were heavy—my elderly parents, my children, and the whole family depended on me. The weight on my shoulders was enormous.
Then, in 2023, I met an old classmate. At that time, I saw that his life was going well—he had bought a house and a car. Moreover, seeing my difficult situation, he was generous and lent me money to help me through my hardships. Gradually, one day I asked him what he was doing to be doing so well. Through his introduction, I ended up on this irreversible path.
I thought about my elderly parents, my children, and my own difficulties. He spoke so casually about it, and my mind was filled with greed!
At first, he asked me to carry items abroad, but I was scared and unwilling. Later, he told me I didn’t have to carry anything anymore; instead, he asked me to come to Hong Kong to receive goods for him at a hotel.
He said there was no risk, and since my life was so difficult, desire overcame reason. So, I flew to Hong Kong. On one hand, I could travel to a place I had always dreamed of visiting, and on the other, I could earn money to ease my difficulties. I never imagined that once I came, I wouldn’t be able to go back. Now, it’s too late for regrets—I can only repent and change.
Since I was arrested and sent to detention, I have regretted every day and realized that what I did harmed both others and myself. Every night in detention, when I think of my parents and children at home, I cry. Looking back at what I did, the punishment I am receiving is what I deserve.
In her letters, my mother writes that at her age, her poor health, and with my potentially long sentence, she doesn’t know if she will live to see me free again. Every night when I think of my mother and my home, my tears flow endlessly. I feel very guilty and regretful, but I know it is now useless.
The only thing I can do now is to reform while here and reflect deeply. I will strive to reform myself, regain my freedom as soon as possible, return home, have the chance to care for my parents, and be a good father to my children.
My family is poor now, and my children are still in school. All these burdens have fallen on my parents. Thinking of this, tears uncontrollably flow as I write. They cannot come to Hong Kong to see me, and although I want to see them, I do not want to add to their burden.
My mother wrote that without me, the pillar of the family, life has become even harder. They cannot visit me now and can only wait until the children finish university to come see me. I hope my children study hard and become people who contribute to society.
Thinking of my daughter now in university, I feel proud. The only thing I can do now is to hope she does well, finish her studies, and becomes a good person in society.
When I regain my freedom, I will follow the good example and become a renewed person, and be someone who helps society and others. I will reform and be a good son and a good father.
When I am free, I will use myself as an example to teach others not to take this irreversible path. This is a path that harms both others and oneself. Do not be greedy for temporary gains and regret for a lifetime. I will use my long imprisonment here to educate others, help more people avoid this path, avoid doing harmful things, and not end up regretting like me.
Note: This letter has been translated and edited to improve the readability and clarity of the story. Switch the language to read the original in Chinese.