Former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has called on the Foreign Ministry to look into the case of S Prabagaran, who is facing the death sentence in Singapore for drug trafficking.

Normally, Anwar said, he would not want to comment on people facing drug trafficking charges, but he thinks this is a proper case to be brought to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Anwar, 69, said Prabagaran was denied a fair trial.

“There is allegedly a denial of key witnesses and this deprives opportunity for the defence to present its case. This is a proper case for the foreign minister and the prime minister to take to the ICJ,” he said.

Prabagaran’s mother V Eswary has filed a judicial review application to compel the Malaysian government to take up her son’s case with the ICJ.

Eswary, in her application, also sought a declaration that the Malaysian government was legally obliged to protect Prabagaran's right to a fair trial as well as the right to life and liberty as stipulated in the Federal Constitution.

Her solicitors believe the court may impose a life imprisonment sentence, instead of the death penalty, if the Singapore public prosecutor certifies that the accused had assisted the Central Narcotics Bureau under Section 33B(2)(b).

Prabagaran, 29, has already exhausted all his legal avenues for appeal in Singapore.

However, the mother thinks there is still some room for doubt in his conviction, following certain evidence left out during his trial.