Chambers reflects on frailties of life

Press, 24 June 1986, Page 10

Chambers reflects on frailties of life

NZPA-AAP Perth Brian Chambers says the prospect of death has made him more aware of the frailties of life.

“I haven’t had any serious illnesses ... perhaps a lucky life,” he says. The Perth newspaper, the "Daily News,” interviewed Chambers on May 8 in Pudu prison, but decided to withhold the story from publication until the Malaysian Pardons Board had announced its decision on the men’s plea for clemency.

Kevin Barlow and Chambers spoke about prison life and the prospect of becoming the first Westerners to hang under Malaysia’s tough anti-drug laws.

Chambers admitted to "putting on a brave face.” The jail was “much more reasonable than prison in Australia,” he said.

"Here there are no bashings, no standover tactics and no homosexuality — or what there is is negligible.”

Chambers said he and Barlow were treated well by prison staff. As death row prisoners, each has his own cell and is allowed to keep personal items such as books and stereos.

Chambers reads, writes, exercises and teaches English to an inmate who, in turn, teaches him Chinese.

“Where there is life,

there is hope,” he said. “That faint hope saves me from despair.” The young West Australian was philosophical about dying. “I’m a realist,” he said. “A mud slide in Bolivia could wipe out thousands; and earthquake in China could wipe out hundreds of thousands. I’m just one person. I’m not really significant.”

Chambers chainsmoked, hands trembling slightly. “Sometimes I find it all hard to believe and can’t help but think being here is a ghastly mistake,” he said.

Religion helps: “I’ve always been religious. Perhaps now it has intensified.”