Summary

  • FreedomFilmFest calls on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the government to intervene in the scheduled execution of a Malaysian man in Singapore this Thursday.

  • FFF also publishes a poignant video on death row inmate Pannir Selvam Pranthaman.

“Time is running out.”

In a desperate and urgent plea, FreedomFilmFest (FFF) has called on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to intervene and save a Malaysian man scheduled to be executed in Singapore this Thursday.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, the human rights group reached out to the prime minister, urging him and the Malaysian government to act with compassion.

“We call on Anwar and the government of Malaysia to show mercy and take immediate action to appeal to the Singaporean government to halt the execution of Pannir Selvam Pranthaman,” FFF said in calling for a pause to an irreversible decision.

The post was accompanied by the hashtags #GivePannirASecondChance and #AbolishtheDeathPenalty.

FFF also shared a poignant video, one that included a desperate plea from the death row inmate’s sister, Angelia Pranthaman.

Her voice cracked with emotion as she addressed Anwar, saying: “This is our final appeal to Anwar Ibrahim. This is our last hope to save Pannir.

Angelia Pranthaman

“Pannir has been wrongly accused and he could be executed soon,” she added.

The inmate was informed of his execution date two days ago.

Candlelight vigil

In a related development, a candlelight vigil will be held outside the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow evening.

The vigil is organised by Amnesty International Malaysia, Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (Adpan), and Suaram.

“His case, marred by serious human rights violations, highlights systemic flaws in the use of the death penalty for drug-related offences.

“With his legal avenues now exhausted, Pannir’s execution looms, making this vigil a critical moment for public and governmental action,” said Amnesty International Malaysia.

A protest at the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur over the death penalty, July 25, 2019.

Yesterday, four government MPs urged Anwar to intervene in the upcoming execution.

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh expressed hope that Pannir would 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 upon and recruit unsuspecting victims from Malaysia to help them in transboundary transportation of drug packages, totally unaware of its contents,” he said.

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.

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

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

COMMENT | Our hope for the future is to keep Pannir alive

COMMENT | Our hope for the future is to keep Pannir alive

Family of death row inmate in S'pore hope for best, prepared for worst

Family of death row inmate in S'pore hope for best, prepared for worst

Three M'sians on death row in S'pore spared until April

Three M'sians on death row in S'pore spared until April