Malaysian drug mule gets stay of execution in Singapore
A Singapore court has granted a stay of execution to a Malaysian poet, just hours before he was set to be hanged for drug trafficking, after dozens of supporters held candlelight vigils in both countries to protest capital punishment.
Pannir Selvam Pranthaman was arrested in 2014 for having 52 grams of heroin and sentenced to death three years later.
He is due to be hanged on Thursday, making him the fourth person to be put to death in the Southeast Asian country this year after two others were executed for drug-related crimes and one for murder.
Singapore anti-death penalty activist Kirsten Han said the Appeals Court allowed the stay of execution on the grounds that there is an ongoing constitutional challenge by other death row prisoners to a section under the drug law.
Although Pannir is not involved, he has said in his plea the case could potentially impact his conviction.
Another factor for the stay is Pannir's complaint to the Law Society of Singapore against his former lawyer, where he is the main witness, Han said.
The court in its judgement allowed his bid to mount another appeal against his conviction.
"This is a huge relief and very good news, but a stay of execution is not a complete stop," said Han.
"What Singapore needs now is an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty, with a view to full abolition. Pannir lives tomorrow, but as Singaporeans we must keep fighting to make sure no one is killed in our names ever again."
On the 6th of February, Amnesty International Malaysia and @ADPANetwork held a press conference to call on the Msian gov't to take immediate & decisive action on behalf of Malaysian national Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, and others who are at risk of execution in Singapore. pic.twitter.com/uYkbZXQ5ec
— Amnesty International Malaysia (@AmnestyMy) February 7, 2025
Singapore's strict laws mandate the death penalty for anyone caught carrying more than 15 grams of heroin and 500 grams of cannabis.
However, critics say the law only targets low-level traffickers and couriers.
Pannir's family, his lawyers and various rights groups noted that the Singapore court had found that he was merely a courier transporting the substance.
The 36-year-old has said he didn't know he was carrying drugs.
Still, the court had to hand down the death sentence after prosecutors refused to issue Pannir a certificate of substantive assistance, vouching that he helped their investigation, which would have spared him the noose, they said.
Malaysian lawmakers called on their government to intervene to halt Pannir's execution and have him extradited to facilitate further investigation.
The Malaysian government, which recently scrapped the mandatory death penalty, didn't respond to media queries.
"We oppose the use of the death penalty on drug mules who are themselves victims in the million-dollar transactions by syndicates that are roaming free," Malaysian lawmaker Ram Karpal Singh was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper.
MEDIA STATEMENTFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEStay of Execution for Pannir Selvam: A Step Towards Compassion and JusticeWe welcome with immense relief the decision by the Singapore High Court to grant a stay of execution for Malaysian citizen Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, who was…
— Yuneswaran Ramaraj (@r_yuneswaran) February 19, 2025
Pannir's last-minute reprieve was hailed by dozens of supporters attending a candlelight vigil at a park in Singapore.
Holding placards and torchlights, they chanted "Justice for Pannir" and "Execution is not the solution."
Dozens others gathered outside the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur for a similar vigil, singing songs and reading excerpts of poems and letters written by Pannir.
Pannir, the third of six children, is the son of a church pastor who worked as a lorry driver to make ends meet, said another Singapore activist Kokila Annamalai.
He loves music and played in the church band growing up, she said.
In prison, Pannir has penned letters, songs and poems about the anguish of being on death row and hopes of a second chance, she said.
His family has shared some of his songs, which were sung by several Malaysian singers.
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