The mother of K Datchinamurthy, a Malaysian convicted of drug trafficking in Singapore, is appealing to the Malaysian government to intervene before her only son is executed by hanging.

"I'm not just asking for my (child). There are other Malaysian prisoners on death row.

"Our country's prime minister can help, should help, these are the children of this country.

"I'm Malaysian, I hope my country Malaysia will help me (or) will do something. This is about human lives," said Datchinamurthy's tearful mother, A Letchumi.

Letchumi (on right in photo) made the appeal after her lawyers filed a judicial review at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, challenging Foreign Minister Anifah Aman's refusal to intervene.

She claimed her son was forced into admitting to things that he did not do.

One of her lawyers, N Surendran, raised concern about Datchinamurthy's trial.

"There was a co-accused, a Singaporean, both of them were charged together.

"The Singaporean co-accused escaped the noose because the Attorney-General's Chambers there decided to give her a certificate of substantive assistance, which allowed for a sentence other than the death penalty.

"(But) it was not given to Datchinamurthy, who is Malaysian," he said.

The certificate of substantive assistance is granted by the Singapore public prosecutor to any accused who provides substantial help to the Central Narcotics Bureau in disrupting drug trafficking activities.

Surendran hoped Putrajaya would apply to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to review Datchinamurthy’s conviction.

Letter sent, but no reply

He said a letter was sent to the Malaysian Foreign Ministry on Feb 1 but did not receive a reply.

Datchinamurthy's family also requested clemency from the Singapore president, but received no reply.

"The government should be doing everything necessary to protect our citizens who are facing serious troubles overseas," said Surendran, who is also Padang Serai MP.

This judicial review is the second of its kind. The first was filed on behalf of another Malaysian facing the death row in Singapore, S Probagaran.

Surendran said this was the family's final attempt to save Datchinamurthy's life as they had exhausted all other avenues.

Datchinamurthy was arrested on Nov 18, 2011, with a Singaporean woman.

Both were jointly charged on April 1, 2015, in the Singapore High Court under section 5(1)(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA).

The Singaporean was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Datchinamurthy, who has three sisters, worked in Singapore while living in Johor Bharu.

The 25-year-old was unemployed when he was arrested with 44.96g of diamorphine.

Other lawyers acting for Datchinamurthy's family are Raul Lee Bhaskaran and Latheefa Koya.

Also present were Singapore human rights group Maruah former president Leong Sze Hian, Amnesty International Malaysia executive director D Shamini, Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network executive committee member Ngeow Chow Ying, Singapore Singapore Anti-Death Penalty Campaign founder M Ravi and and Batu MP Tian Chua.