Growing from strength to strength: Lionel (front) at a session with gamblers and their families
Gambling affects the family, that's why we help the family members - Neil FooRehabilitation Centre A Way To Help Addicts
By PRIYA MENON priya@thestar.com.myPhotos by SHAARI CHE MAT
BORN to a conman who is a professional gambler, Lionel Lim Ban Hing followed his father’s footsteps at the of 25 not knowing the dark path it would lead him to.
For years, he enjoyed the fast- paced lifestyle, cheating many casinos in the region until the security improved with CCTV cameras and professionals to catch conmen at their game.
For years, he enjoyed the fast- paced lifestyle, cheating many casinos in the region until the security improved with CCTV cameras and professionals to catch conmen at their game.
Lim soon realised he could no longer continue gambling and decided to dabble in other illegal businesses including pirated vcds and a disco that also supplied drugs. His life revolved around Ecstasy pills leaving his mother worried every night.
“One day I realised I had to stop all these things including my addiction. I stopped selling pirated cds which did not profit much until I got a worker to help me sort out my financial problems,” he said.
Seeing Lim’s will to change, the employee urged him to go to church and Lim attended service just to please the man who had helped improve his business but the sermons changed his life.
“I changed, I may not have had cash but I was living a better life. My mum went to bed each night knowing I would be safe,” Lim added.
He continued to help the church with their activities until a group from Hong Kong came down to open up a gambling rehabilitation centre in KL. One day he was forced to counsel a gambler and the people at the centre realised that he would be the best person to advise others with the same habit.
He continued to help the church with their activities until a group from Hong Kong came down to open up a gambling rehabilitation centre in KL. One day he was forced to counsel a gambler and the people at the centre realised that he would be the best person to advise others with the same habit.
“We saw a need for the centre and opened in 2003 under the church wing. I went to Singapore to study counselling and psychology since they had it in Mandarin,” said Lim, the chief operating officer of the centre.
Growing from strength to strength: Lionel (front) at a session with gamblers and their families.
In 2008, the Gambler’s Rehabilitation Centre Malaysia became an independent organisation and it has grown from strength to strength over time.
Due to the increasing number of complaints on gambling, the MCA National Youth decided to collaborate with Lim and his fellow speakers Lee Kim Heng and celebrity spokesman Vick Teo to help gamblers and their families cope with the addiction.
“We have received numerous complaints at the MCA Public Complaints Bureau and it has become a root problem in Chinese families. Many housewives are also addicted to gambling which leads to other social illnesses,” said the MCA National Youth Strategic Planning Research Bureau chief, Neil Foo .
The theme “Gambler At Home, What To Do?” is an initiative to raise awareness on the issue and help family members of gamblers kick their habit. They organised their inaugural road show on May 22 at the MCA office in Jalan Ampang and it proved to be a resounding success. The three-hour roadshow comprises talks by the speakers as well as other activities to help them understand the nature of gambling better.
According to Foo, many families end up paying for gamblers’ debts leaving them in financial trouble with loan sharks as well.
“Gambling affects the family, that is why we are helping the family as well. We teach them how to convince the gambler to come forward and seek assistance,” Foo added.
The centre only takes in those who want to reform for its programmes. Gamblers and families have two options; to stay in the hostel and undergo rehabilitation for three months or opt for 10 classes with one class each week. The centre does regular follow ups to ensure the gamblers have kicked off the habit completely.
Many have walked out of the doors a changed person, including See Cheng Yeh, See was running his family business and ended up losing his profits at the cards table and slowly turned to family and friends for money.
“I joined their three-month programme in 2006 and today have quit everything including buying numbers. Now I am helping others. I believe being here helps remind me of the consequences of gambling so that I do not fall prey again,” said See, who is now the chief head of Fellowship.
There will be another road show on July 31 at the Foon Yew High School in Johor Baru.
Those seeking to get in touch with the centre can call the hotline at 017-238 1900 or visit the centre at 9-3, Jalan 8/146, Bandar Tasik Selatan,KL
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