MPs urge Saifuddin, cops to confirm status of probe linked to Pannir

A group of parliamentarians lobbying for a halt to the execution of Pannir Selvam Pranthaman in Singapore has called on Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and local authorities to confirm the status of a related investigation here.

Group spokesperson Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh revealed that the death row inmate, whose execution is scheduled to take place on Oct 8, has provided crucial information that could expose a cross-border drug trafficking network between Malaysia and Singapore.

“On Sept 27, Pannir was interviewed by senior officers from Bukit Aman at Changi Prison, Singapore. During that interview, which lasted for about three hours, Pannir provided information identifying individuals responsible for handing him the drugs in Malaysia.

“We understand that the police have since opened an active investigation into those individuals,” said Ramkarpal during a press conference in parliament, together with supporting backbenchers and civil society organisations.

Also present was Pannir’s sister, Angelia Pranthaman.

Met later, Angelia said the latest round of questioning followed the recent arrest of a Malaysian “drug king pin” in connection with Pannir’s case.

Commenting further, Ramkarpal said the supporting MPs are of the view that there is a reasonable possibility that the information provided by Pannir could lead to the prosecution of the individual arrested and others linked to the network.

“In that event, Pannir would be a material witness in proceedings that could dismantle the very syndicate responsible for cross-border trafficking of narcotics,” said Ramkarpal.

“As the execution is due to be carried out in less than 48 hours, we urge the home minister or the police to publicly confirm that investigations into the information and statement provided by Pannir on Sept 27 are ongoing and are not completed yet on an urgent basis,” he added.

Pannir’s conviction

Pannir was convicted by the Singapore High Court on May 2, 2017, for importing not less than 51.84g of diamorphine into Singapore and was sentenced to the mandatory death penalty.

The Singapore Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal on Feb 9, 2018, and a clemency petition to the Singapore president was rejected.

Pannir was granted a stay of execution twice. The first was in May 2019, on the basis that he intended to challenge the rejection of his clemency petition and the public prosecutor’s decision not to issue a certificate of substantive assistance to him.

The second stay of execution was granted in February 2025, pending the determination of a post-appeal application in a capital case.

The Singapore Court of Appeal dismissed his bid for a stay of execution on Sept 6.

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