Bali Nine Ringleader Andrew Chan Pens Moving Letter to 15-Year-Old Self
Australian Andrew Chan has penned a letter to his 15-year-old self. The Bali Nine assumed co-ringleader, who is awaiting death by firing squad in Indonesia, chastised himself in the six-page letter for ruining his own life.
As News.com.au reports, the letter is featured in the new documentary “Dear Me: The Dangers of Drugs,” which warns high school students of the consequences of using illegal substances. “Dear Me, when you are older you will be in a Bali prison and you will be executed. This happened to you because you thought taking drugs was cool,” he began.
In the letter, Chan also warned the Australian youth of choosing a life of drugs and crime. He encouraged them to choose a different path.
“You are still young and you have some serious decisions to make in your life. What you choose today will make you become tomorrow,” he wrote. “If you want to be a thug and a big bad wolf, I’ll see you soon inside.”
However, Chan, 31, also acknowledged that he might not have “soon” anymore. He wrote the letter a couple of years ago, saying he might not even able to live until his 30th birthday. He lamented on missing important family events, and admitted that his family also suffers from the pain his actions have brought.
“My life is a perfect example of an absolute waste. That does not have to be for you,” he wrote.
Chan is one of the nine Australians arrested in Bali on April 17, 2005, for trying to smuggle 8.3 kg of heroin from Indonesia to Australia. Along with Myuran Sukumaran, Chan is said to be the ringleaders of the group, named Bali Nine by the media. He was just 21 when he was arrested, and has been detained at the Kerobokan prison since then.
Malinda Rutter, the director of the documentary, told the Web site that Chan was a changed man. She first met him in prison two years ago.
“He’s funny, articulate, he is charismatic and has a very caring personality. You would not think that of a drug smuggler on death row,” Rutter described him. She admitted she made the documentary in hopes of gaining sympathy for Chan and Sukumaran.
Both Chan and Sukumaran, who are facing death sentence, have turned their lives around in prison. Sukumaran, 33, teaches classes to prisoners, and has started a business selling artworks and clothing. Chan, on the other hand, has turned to God, and has been running bible groups for other prisoners. He also runs a cooking school inside the facility.
Despite the positive changes the two have made inside the prison, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has denied clemency to Sukumaran, and is expected to reject Chan’s plea as well.