Ex-gang member graduating from poly with gold medal

He scores in accounting and finance course at Temasek Poly and mentors troubled youth

Mr Sim Rong Xing (right) receiving the Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal from Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

He was in a gang by the time he was 14, smoking, drinking and staying out late with friends who gave him a sense of belonging.

His father lived in Malaysia, and his cashier mother and sister were his only company at home.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 04, 2018, with the headline Ex-gang member graduating from poly with gold medal. Subscribe