Kuala Lumpur, Oct 8 (AP) Singapore has carried out the hanging of Malaysian national Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, 38, for drug trafficking offenses on Wednesday. This marks the second execution within a span of two weeks, elevating the total number of executions in the strict city-state to 12 so far this year, despite ongoing international calls to abolish the death penalty.
Kirsten Han, an anti-death penalty activist in Singapore, confirmed Pannir's execution at the Changi Prison. She accompanied Pannir’s family as they retrieved his belongings from the facility.
Pannir was apprehended in 2014 with 52 grams of heroin and received a death sentence in 2017. His execution, originally scheduled for February, had been deferred due to pending legal matters.
Hopes for another postponement arose when Pannir provided Malaysian police with information on September 27 regarding those who supplied him with the drugs. However, Malaysia's home ministry announced on Tuesday that he did not provide any new leads for further investigation.
Pannir's execution followed the dismissal of his final court appeal and his unsuccessful bid for presidential clemency. Earlier, another Malaysian, Datchinamurthy Kataiah, was executed on September 25. Pannir was the fourth Malaysian and the 12th individual executed in Singapore this year, predominantly for drug-related charges, as noted by activists. This is an increase from nine executions in the whole of 2024.
Over 40 individuals still remain on death row in Singapore.
Chiara Sangiorgio, Amnesty International's death penalty advisor, condemned the execution, stating, “It is indefensible that Singapore continues to cruelly pursue more executions in the name of drug control.” She contended that no evidence supports claims that the death penalty uniquely deters drug offenses or affects the drug's availability and usage. Singapore's rigid drug laws impose the death penalty for possession of over 15 grams of heroin or 500 grams of cannabis, which critics argue disproportionately targets low-level traffickers and couriers. Yet, the government insists on its necessity for public safety.
Pannir’s legal representatives, family, and human rights organizations stressed that he was identified by Singapore’s court as merely a courier in the drug trafficking operation. Despite asserting ignorance about carrying drugs, Pannir was sentenced to death without a certificate of substantive assistance from prosecutors affirming his cooperation, which could have commuted his sentence.
His family shared his background—Pannir was a third child of six, with a father who was a church pastor and had worked as a lorry driver. Pannir cherished music and was involved in his church's band. During his time in prison, he expressed his torment and yearning for redemption through letters, songs, and poems. Some of his songs have been performed by Malaysian artists.
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