Ex-offender turned founder of bakery shop now inspiring others
SINGAPORE — “Before I went into prison, I was always living in fear and uncertainty of when the police would knock on my door,” recalled Mr Muhammad Khairul Anwar Abdul Hadi.

Mr Muhammad Khairul Anwar Abdul Hadi (fourth from right) and Mdm Mas’ Amah Ruah (sixth from left) are among the 10 winners of M³’s #InspirasiSG campaign.
SINGAPORE — “Before I went into prison, I was always living in fear and uncertainty of when the police would knock on my door,” recalled Mr Muhammad Khairul Anwar Abdul Hadi.
The law eventually caught up with him as he was sentenced to three years and three months in jail for peddling contraband cigarettes.
After his release in 2016, he vowed to be on the straight and narrow.
Knowing that it would be tough to get by with a monthly income of S$1,000 as a dispatch rider, he and his wife, Mdm Nazira Yunos, 29, started their own home-based bakery business which they called Bakes by NY.
Three years later they set up shop at East Village. And after having lived in a house with 11 other people, Mr Khairul also realised his dream of buying his own place.
On Sunday (July 21), the 34 year old was one of 10 winners of M³’s #InspirasiSG campaign, which celebrates inspiring Singaporean Malay-Muslims.
M³ is made up of three community institutions — the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, Mendaki and Mesra.
In an interview with TODAY, Mr Khairul recalled how he did not even have the money to start the bakery business.
“I had to borrow from the bank and my family members. In fact, when we just started, the main business came from our families,” he said.
Mr Khairul was glad he persevered and encourages people who might be going through similar struggles to not “look back on the past” and “pursue some skills”.
“I would say, going to prison does not mean the end,” he said. “There are always channels in society available, like your family and counsellors.”
A PASSION TO SERVE
Another individual who was given recognition was Mdm Mas’ Amah Ruah, 65, who is a full-time volunteer trainer and adviser for Girl Guides Singapore.
The retired teacher of 34 years has been an active member in the organisation for 52 years.
“When you share the love for girl guiding, it is not just like an extracurricular activity, but it becomes a way of life,” Mdm Mas’ said.
Recalling a community service she did with the girl guides at elderly homes, she told TODAY of her pride at watching the girls overcome their inhibitions to interact with the elderly.
She had told them not to be “fearful” but to talk to the elderly with “love and care”.
“As I mentor the new guiders and leaders, I want to also share with them the essence of guiding. It is not about getting the many awards and badges,” Mdm Mas’ said.