The Malaysian Insight

CIVIL society groups gathered in Petaling Jaya last night to appeal to the Singapore government’s conscience over the planned execution of intellectually challenged Nagaenthran Dharmalingam.

Simone Abel of the Capital Punishment Justice Project said Singapore should consider its international image before pressing ahead with the hanging.

The event is scheduled for tomorrow but Nagaenthran was granted a final chance at the Singapore Court of Appeal today. His mother is reported to be representing in court as no lawyer is willing to take up the case due to the stiff fines and penalties that the republic’s authorities impose on lawyers who challenge death sentences for drug trafficking.

Abel said Nagaenthran must be given a chance at the hearing later today.

“Singapore should realise what it is portraying to the world by hanging him,” said Abel.

“We hope he will be given clemency instead of execution on Wednesday.”

She said Singapore should also stop harassing and intimidating lawyers who represented Nagaenthran.

Dr Anjhula Mya Bais of Amnesty International said Singapore, which prides itself on its modernity and progress, is showing itself to be the opposite by insisting on the death penalty for the man.

“The death penalty is cruel and inhumane; and execution has no place in a civil society,” she said.

“Singapore is also trying to execute another Malaysian, Datchinamurthy Kataiah, 36, on Friday despite him having a legal challenge pending in Singapore.”

Datchinamurthy was charged with smuggling 44.96gm of diamorphine into Singapore in 2011 and sentenced to death in 2015.

Angelia Pranthaman of Segaran Kasih said the family members of those on death row cannot do much and rely on the moral support and solidarity of others.

“I have been through a similar situation but it’s great to see the support shown for Naegenthran,” said Angelia, who is the sister of Malaysian death row prisoner in Singapore, Pannir Selvam Pranthaman.

Nagaenthiran’s mother, Panchalai Supermaniam is to argue her son’s case at 2.30pm today.

Panchalai yesterday filed the case herself in the Singapore Court of Appeal.

Nagaenthran, 34, has an IQ of 69, a lower than average score that qualifies as an intellectual disability.

He was arrested in 2009 and sentenced to death in 2011 under the Misuse of Drugs Act for illegally importing 42.7g of diamorphine.

He was caught with a bundle of heroin strapped to his thigh when entering the city-state from Malaysia via the Woodlands checkpoint in April 2009. – April 26, 2022.