Local actor Tony Eusoff was sentenced to eight months in Singapore jail in 2016 for possessing drugs. Photo: Tony Eusoff/Instagram
Malaysian actor Tony Eusoff has described his incarceration in Singapore as a dark and unforgettable chapter in his life.
In 2016, Tony, whose real name is Anthony Joseph Hermas Rajiman, was sentenced to eight months in Singapore’s Admiralty West Prison after pleading guilty to drug possession.
He was charged for possessing up to 4.56g of a cannabis mixture, which is classified as a Class A controlled substance, according to the Central Narcotics Bureau of Singapore.
In a recent interview with local media, Tony said taking drugs was the most foolish decision of his life.
“I don’t blame anyone else because that incident stemmed from my own mischief and foolishness.
“When I was detained, I wasn’t a kid anymore. I was 38 and should’ve been mature enough to distinguish right from wrong,” said the Sarawak-born actor, who’s now 47.
Tony also expressed remorse towards his mother, who was in tears as they shared their final hug before he was sent to jail.
“As a son, nothing is more upsetting and hurtful than seeing my mum cry because of my foolishness,” he added.
After completing his sentence, Tony admitted to feeling conflicted about facing society.
However, the Malbatt: Misi Bakara (2023) star acknowledged that his time in prison was the necessary consequence of his past mistakes.
“I view my time in prison as the debts I owe for my mistakes.
“As my release date approached, I felt happy but also nervous, unsure of how society would accept me. Yet, there were people I didn’t even know who offered me words of encouragement. Malaysians are truly compassionate and forgiving,” he said.
Tony also gave his opinion on the recent case of an unnamed local comedian, who was sentenced to six months in prison in Saudi Arabia for drug possession.
He urged the public not to quickly jump to conclusions as the individual could’ve been desperate.
“We don’t know what they are dealing with. Some people take ‘stuff’ because they want to destress. Everyone has their own challenges, so let’s leave it up to the law,” he said.
