Today, the 42-year-old runs his own tuition centre and breaks down prejudice against former offenders from parents seeking academic help for their children.
Growing up in a troubled household, Mr Swee did badly in his O levels and started mixing with bad company.
His string of convictions started at the age of 18, when he was sentenced in 2000 to five months in prison for selling illegal VCDs. After his release, he went back to his friends and started peddling drugs.
His mother warned that if he continued to make the wrong decisions, his future would be ruined.
Her advice fell on deaf ears and at 27, Mr Swee was imprisoned for drug trafficking. He was sentenced to 8½ years in Changi Prison, and 10 strokes of the cane.
The lengthier sentence hit him like a bucket of cold water.
This story is from the December 08, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 08, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Jay-Z will seek dismissal of sexual assault lawsuit his lawyer calls a 'sham'
Lawyers for Jay-Z (right) plan to ask a judge to toss a lawsuit accusing the American rapper of raping a 13-year-old in 2000, pointing to what they described as \"glaring inconsistencies\" that emerged in an NBC interview of the accuser, who was not named in the suit.
Comedian Jimmy O. Yang finds people who look more like him than himself in lookalike contest
It looks like there are Asians out there who look more like Jimmy O. Yang than the man himself, said the Hong Kong-born American actor and stand-up comedian.
Brazil judge orders Adele song to be pulled globally
A Brazilian judge has ordered a song by British pop superstar Adele (left), Million Years Ago (2015), to be pulled worldwide - including on streaming services - over an ongoing plagiarism claim by a Brazilian composer.
Local musician-TikToker first from Asia to be nominated
Drumeo Awards: TikTok Drummer of the Year category
Malcolm In The Middle is getting a four-episode revival on Disney+
NEW YORK - One of America's wackiest families is making a comeback.
Pedro Almodovar is not lost in translation
Working in English and directing Hollywood stars can be difficult for European directors. But the Spanish director's The Room Next Door is an exception
Lessons from a dog attack
Viewpoint Canines may bite and scratch when excited or caught by surprise
Could dark chocolate reduce risk of diabetes?
If you have long assumed that you must deprive yourself of delicious foods to be healthy, a new study in medical journal The BMJ offers encouraging news: Eating dark chocolate has been associated with a reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
BAD BACK
More teens and young adults hit with degenerative disc disease
Diplomacy ● Remark about chai in poor taste
I refer to the article \"No shortage of chai for Singapore's envoy in India after 'tasteless' brew post goes viral\" (Dec 16).
