He was once a feared Geylang pimp: What changed his life?
By
Christine Leow
, 28 April 2022
“In the past, if you heard my name in Geylang, you would run,” said Uncle Kim*, who was once a gangster, drug abuser and pimp. Photo by Jordan Merrick on Unsplash.
Uncle Kim (not his real name), 61, is a bespectacled, plump man who is both funny and polite.
He is saddled with a string of ailments more common among men 20 years his senior. He also has difficulty walking, no thanks to a stroke six years ago.
No one would guess that he was once a feared pimp in Geylang, a gangster and long-time drug addict.
His slide into the seedier side of life started at an early age.
Sleeping on the streets
In Primary 2, he was expelled for smashing a chair through a window. His parents tried to enroll him into another school. Young Kim refused.
They caned him but this only led him to rebel even more.
“Two weeks after coming out of the boys’ home, I went back in again.”
“I was a naughty boy,” said Uncle Kim. “I didn’t listen to them.”
By 12, he was living on the streets – by choice. Void decks or public benches became his beds.
Young Kim joined a gang and started harassing people for protection money. The law quickly caught up with him.
He was arrested and sent to a boys’ home. But this did little to change his ways.
“Two weeks after coming out, I went back in again.”
This time, it was for getting into a street fight.
Odd jobs for the gang
Even after his three years in the boys’ home followed by National Service (NS), young Kim continued to revel in being a rebel.
“When I got out, I didn’t go home. I followed my gang.”
He did many odd jobs for them. These included running illegal gambling dens and collecting protection money.
By his 30s and 40s, Uncle Kim was in and out of prison “so many times I lost count”. He was charged for drug abuse as well as stealing money to pay for his long-time addiction.
The introduction to Geylang
Once, after serving yet another prison sentence, Uncle Kim’s friend offered him a job and a place to live.
This job was no ordinary one.
He was invited to become a pimp in Geylang.
Uncle Kim gained a reputation as a feared figure in Geylang. Photo by Lily Banse on Unsplash.
Already in his 40s with limited career options, Uncle Kim decided to give it a go.
“I took care of the girls,” he said vaguely when asked what being a pimp entailed.
The brothel became Uncle Kim’s workplace and his home.
The brothel became Uncle Kim’s workplace and his home. He also gained a reputation as a feared figure in Geylang.
“In the past, if you heard my name in Geylang, you would run.”
For the next decade, Uncle Kim thrived off the nightlife of Geylang. He was not keen on living any other way.
That is, until he made friends with Debbie Zhang and her husband. They saw past his tough exterior and life choices.
Food and sweets instead of anger
Debbie Zhang is a well-loved volunteer in the Geylang district. The founder of the House of Olive (HOL) is often seen chatting with people working in the area.
As Uncle Kim shared his troubles, Debbie said to him: “The only thing you need to remember is this: God never forgets about you.”
Uncle Kim was not at all interested in faith or church. But his eyes became wet. Her words touched him.
Debbie Zhang first met Uncle Kim in 2015. The two became friends over time. Photo courtesy of Debbie Zhang.
The two became friends over time.
As he grew older, Uncle Kim’s health took a turn for the worse. He was admitted to hospital and was eventually placed in a nursing home.
Debbie and her husband Kelvin Loh were the very first people to visit him. It moved him to tears.
They kept him company when he felt down. They would encourage him to return to God.
“I would quarrel with Kelvin but he would forgive me. They loved me even though I was nasty to them.”
“When I saw them, I would tease them,” he said.
“But they didn’t get angry with me. Instead, they would bring me food and sweets.
“I would quarrel with Kelvin but he would forgive me. They loved me even though I was nasty to them.”
Through their consistent show of concern, Uncle Kim, who once felt unworthy, found himself increasingly drawn to God’s love.
“I used to be very naughty. Now, I see that Jesus didn’t give up on me.”
Uncle Kim eventually chose to study the Bible with Kelvin and a pastor online.
Revisiting Geylang
Today, Uncle Kim’s old life of crime, drugs and pimping is in the past.
He now finds peace in God.
“I used to think I was so great. I was so proud. But now I’m a transformed man.”
Debbie and Kelvin still visit Uncle Kim regularly, bringing him his favourite meals. Kelvin is also listed as Uncle Kim’s caregiver.
“He calls Kelvin almost once every two days,” said Debbie. “He claims that he cannot sleep if he fails to hear Kelvin’s voice.”
Uncle Kim said: “After my stroke, I couldn’t walk properly. Kelvin told me to exercise and pray (for healing).”
Uncle Kim is now able to stand on his own and walk short distances.
“If he didn’t encourage me to pray, I would still be in bed all day,” he said.
“I’m not afraid to be seen by old friends.”
Uncle Kim also noticed a change in his own temper.
“God changed me to learn to be good. I’m not so easily angered now.
“I used to think I was so great. I was so proud. But now I’m a transformed man, a new creation, a child of God.”
Uncle Kim looks forward to walking again one day. He hopes to revisit the lorongs of Geylang – not as a pimp who incites fear, but as a changed man helping others find a new life.
“I’m not afraid to be seen by old friends,” he said.
“If they ask, I will say, ‘If you want, Jesus will accept you, too. Jesus will not blame you (for your life choices).’”
This is an excerpt of an article that first appeared in Salt&Light.
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