Author: Matthew Woolfe Illustrator: Jiwo

Content Warning: violence, sexual abuse and suicide

Two weeks before his 21st birthday, Sam* sat alone atop a bridge in Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, seemingly ready to end his life.  

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Matthew Woolfe is an Australia-based freelance writer, human rights advocate and the founder of The Brunei Project, an independent initiative that raises awareness about human rights issues in Brunei.

Jiwo is an aspiring Malaysia-based artist/illustrator. His body of work mainly revolves around surrealistic art structured around his peculiar philosophy and spirituality. View his works at jiwosophy.co. Reach him at jiwo@jiwosophy.co.