After spending a year in jail for drug related charges, local actor and director Rafaat Hamzah is now a free man.
Rafaat, 49, was released from prison on June 2.
He was arrested on May 28, 2014 for the consumption of the drug, Ice.
“I have done a lot of thinking while I was inside prison,” said the director. who also recently announced that he had become a grandfather.
In an interview with Berita Harian, he admitted that he made a mistake and he also wanted to share his experience so that others can learn from it.
Rafaat said that he was at home, preparing to go to work when he was arrested.
He added that officers from the Central Narcotic Bureau (CNB) entered his house when he opened his door, subsequently arresting him.
He was sent to Changi Prison.
But rather than dwell on the dark times, he feels that his arrest could have saved his life.
“If I was not arrested maybe I would not be here now,” he said.
“Maybe it was all part of God’s plan… that I’m given an early warning before it was too late,
“What is important is that I don’t touch the ‘stuff’ anymore,” he added.
In 2011, Rafaat won the Best Lead Actor Award at Pesta Perdana 11 for his role in the drama Kalimah Terakhir.
Pesta Perdana is a local award show which honours the best in the Malay television industry.
He is currently not working full-time. His days have been spent visiting different mosques around the island.
“Rather than sitting at home, it’s better that I head to a mosque to meet old friends and also meet new ones,” he said.
Source: www.tnp.sg
