MPs want Anwar to bring back M'sian set for execution on Thursday in S'pore

Summary

• Four MPs have urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to intervene in the scheduled execution of Pannir Selvam Pranthaman in Singapore, advocating for his return to Malaysia to serve his sentence while assisting in investigations.

• Pannir was convicted of drug trafficking in 2017 but was denied a certificate of substantive assistance despite cooperating with authorities.

• With Malaysia having abolished the mandatory death penalty, the MPs and other activists argue that Singapore should reconsider its stance.

Four government MPs have urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to intervene in the upcoming execution of Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, scheduled for this Thursday, in Singapore.

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh expressed hope that Pannir would instead be allowed to return to Malaysia to serve his prison sentence while providing information to assist investigations related to his case.

“We are, respectfully, of the view that Pannir was a drug mule and ought not to be hanged while members of drug syndicates continue to freely roam and likely re-strategising on how to prey and recruit unsuspecting victims from Malaysia to help them in transboundary transportation of drug packages, totally unaware of its contents,” he said at a press conference today.

In 2017, Pannir, 30, was convicted of acting as a courier to import 51.84g of heroin, an offence that carries the mandatory death penalty. The crime took place at the Woodlands checkpoint on Sept 3, 2014.

Ramkarpal added that the family had lodged a police report on Feb 12 regarding information on a Malaysian recruiter and to inquire about developments in the case.

They later received confirmation from the police that investigation papers had been opened and an investigating officer had been appointed - after a 10-year wait.

On Feb 16, the family received Pannir’s execution notice, scheduled for Thursday.

Ramkarpal said that given Pannir’s cooperation with Malaysian and Singaporean authorities in their investigations, the MPs hope that neither country will proceed with the execution and that Putrajaya will intervene.

“Although the Singapore High Court concluded that Pannir was found to have transported and delivered drugs under section 33B(2)(a)(i) of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1973, he was not issued a certificate of substantive assistance.

“(The certificate) is a recognition by the public prosecutor in Singapore that Pannir had cooperated by providing vital information to assist in drug trafficking cases in Singapore,” he added.

‘M’sia can advocate through Asean’

Subang MP Wong Chen noted that with Malaysia chairing Asean this year, Anwar should use the opportunity to advocate for better handling of cases like Pannir’s.

“Malaysia, as you know, has abolished the mandatory death sentence. We kept it as an option and, in fact, had frozen all execution.

“It is a good step, and I think Singapore can follow these steps. They can be tough on their laws.

“We are not here to interfere in their system, but I think they can get some goodwill from the international community, especially since they are such an advanced, developed country,” he added.

Wong also urged Singaporean MPs to speak up on the case.

“This is a bipartisan issue, so hopefully, our fellow MPs in Singapore can respond the same and also talk to their government because we want to see the new administration of Lawrence Wong be better or more forward-looking,” he said.

Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Batu MP P Prabakaran, and former Batu Kawan MP Kasthurri Patto were also present, along with nine NGOs, including Suaram, Bersih, and Hayat, who expressed support for the statement.

‘My brother is depressed’

Pannir’s sister, Angelia, who was also at the press conference, said her brother is in distress.

“He’s in a state of depression and also does not know what to do because all his appeals have been exhausted.

“Even within the legal framework, he was not assigned the certificate he should have received for assistance inside Singapore.

“My parents and my sister flew to Singapore yesterday. Only I am here, trying,” she said in tears.

Three years ago, Pannir wrote a poem for his fellow Malaysian inmate, Dharmalingam Nagaenthran, who was executed on April 22, 2022, after the Singapore Court of Appeal dismissed his final appeal.

Then 33 years old, the mentally impaired Nagaenthran was on death row for trafficking approximately 42.7g of heroin into Singapore.

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