Latest news with #PannirSelvamPranthaman
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Protect coerced drug mules
MALAYSIA is facing a pressing human rights and legal crisis. We see a growing number of citizens being exploited by international drug syndicates as couriers and many are ending up on death row in foreign countries. From 2021 to 2023, 77 Malaysians were arrested overseas for drug trafficking. In 2023 alone, 28 individuals were detained in various countries including the UK, France, China and the Maldives. As of early 2024, 74 Malaysians were reported to be on death row abroad, convicted for transporting narcotics across borders, often under circumstances that suggest coercion or deception. The majority were not hardened criminals but individuals lured by false job offers, online romance scams or the promise of quick money. Syndicates have used social media platforms to offer payments of RM5,000 to RM10,000 per trip to smuggle drugs, exploiting economic desperation and emotional vulnerability. In early 2024, British authorities noted a threefold increase in cannabis seizures at Scottish airports involving Malaysians, underscoring the scale of the problem. Closer to home, the Johor Bahru–Singapore trafficking corridor has become a known route for cross-border smuggling. In one high-profile case, Pannir Selvam Pranthaman was convicted in Singapore in 2017 for trafficking over 50g of diamorphine. He has consistently maintained he was unaware the parcel he was carrying contained drugs and alleged he was coerced by a trafficker known as 'Anand'. The late Kalwant Singh, executed in 2022, similarly claimed he was forced into transporting narcotics by an individual identified only as 'Anna'. These cases reveal a deeper systemic flaw as drug syndicates exploit loopholes in Malaysia's legal framework and take advantage of jurisdictional boundaries that restrict foreign authorities such as Singapore from investigating trafficking operations within Malaysian territory. Despite the clear patterns of coercion and manipulation, Malaysia's current legal structure provides little to no protection for individuals caught in these scenarios. While the Penal Code does include defences such as duress/threat (s.94) and mistake of fact (s.76), these provisions are narrowly defined and often inapplicable in complex trafficking cases involving psychological pressure or deceit. More critically, section 25 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Atipsom) only grants immunity to victims for immigration-related offences, not for more serious crimes like drug trafficking, even when such acts were committed under coercion. This legal gap is at odds with international norms. Malaysia is a signatory to the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Palermo Protocol), which promotes a victim-centred approach and the principle of non-punishment. This means victims should not be penalised for crimes committed as a direct consequence of their exploitation. Countries such as the UK have already translated this into domestic law through provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which provide statutory defences for trafficked persons compelled to commit offences. Malaysia, however, has yet to adopt similar legal safeguards. Without legislative reform, the government risks compounding the harm faced by victims. Malaysians who are prosecuted abroad often lack adequate consular assistance, legal representation or mechanisms for proper victim identification. The absence of guidelines or institutional support means that many are misclassified as criminals and denied access to justice, despite strong indicators of coercion. This reflects not only a failure of protection but a fundamental failure of principle. Atipsom must be amended to include broader immunity provisions for victims of trafficking who are coerced into committing serious offences. Section 94 of the Penal Code, which governs duress, should also be revised to recognise psychological coercion and manipulation. Additionally, law enforcement, prosecutors and consular officers must be trained to identify and support potential victims of forced criminality. Malaysia must also strengthen bilateral cooperation with destination countries to ensure the fair treatment, repatriation and rehabilitation of its citizens who have been exploited. Diplomatic intervention is crucial in cases where victims face the death penalty or life imprisonment without the opportunity to raise a defence. The time has come for Malaysia to move beyond a punitive approach and adopt a rights-based, victim-focused framework that reflects our international obligations and national conscience. Those coerced into crime should not be punished. Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid is a criminologist and senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Drug mules or victims? Confronting the legal dilemma of forced criminality — Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid
MAY 31 — Malaysia is facing a pressing human rights and legal crisis. We see a growing number of citizens being exploited by international drug syndicates as couriers, and many are ending up on death row in foreign countries. From 2021 to 2023, 77 Malaysians were arrested overseas for drug trafficking. In 2023 alone, 28 individuals were detained in various countries including the United Kingdom, France, China and the Maldives. As of early 2024, 74 Malaysians are reported to be on death row abroad, convicted for transporting narcotics across borders — often under circumstances that suggest coercion or deception. The majority were not hardened criminals, but individuals lured by false job offers, online romance scams, or the promise of quick money. Syndicates have used social media platforms to offer payments of RM5,000 to RM10,000 per trip to smuggle drugs, exploiting economic desperation and emotional vulnerability. In early 2024, British authorities noted a threefold increase in cannabis seizures at Scottish airports involving Malaysians, underscoring the scale of the problem. Closer to home, the Johor Bahru–Singapore trafficking corridor has become a known route for cross-border smuggling. In one high-profile case, Pannir Selvam Pranthaman was convicted in Singapore in 2017 for trafficking over 50 grams of diamorphine. He has consistently maintained he was unaware the parcel he was carrying contained drugs and alleged he was coerced by a trafficker known as 'Anand.' The late Kalwant Singh, executed in 2022, similarly claimed he was forced into transporting narcotics by an individual identified only as 'Anna.' These cases reveal a deeper systemic flaw, as drug syndicates exploit loopholes in Malaysia's legal framework and take advantage of jurisdictional boundaries that restrict foreign authorities such as Singapore from investigating trafficking operations within Malaysian territory. Despite the clear patterns of coercion and manipulation, Malaysia's current legal structure provides little to no protection for individuals caught in these scenarios. While the Penal Code does include defences such as duress/threat (s.94) and mistake of fact (s.76), these provisions are narrowly defined and often inapplicable in complex trafficking cases involving psychological pressure or deceit. More critically, Section 25 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM) only grants immunity to victims for immigration-related offences — not for more serious crimes like drug trafficking, even when such acts were committed under coercion. Drug syndicates exploit loopholes in Malaysia's legal framework and take advantage of jurisdictional boundaries. — Unsplash pic This legal gap is at odds with international norms. Malaysia is a signatory to the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Palermo Protocol), which promotes a victim-centred approach and the principle of non-punishment — meaning victims should not be penalised for crimes committed as a direct consequence of their exploitation. Countries such as the United Kingdom have already translated this into domestic law through provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which provide statutory defences for trafficked persons compelled to commit offences. Malaysia, however, has yet to adopt similar legal safeguards. Without legislative reform, the government risks compounding the harm faced by victims. Trafficked Malaysians who are prosecuted abroad often lack adequate consular assistance, legal representation, or mechanisms for proper victim identification. The absence of guidelines or institutional support means that many are misclassified as criminals and denied access to justice, despite strong indicators of coercion. This reflects not only a failure of protection, but a fundamental failure of principle. Moving forward, ATIPSOM must be amended to include broader immunity provisions for victims of trafficking who are coerced into committing serious offences. Section 94 of the Penal Code, which governs duress, should also be revised to recognise psychological coercion and economic manipulation. Additionally, law enforcement, prosecutors, and consular officers must be trained to identify and support potential victims of forced criminality, particularly in cross-border contexts. Malaysia must also strengthen bilateral cooperation with destination countries to ensure the fair treatment, repatriation, and rehabilitation of its citizens who have been exploited by syndicates. Diplomatic intervention is crucial in cases where victims face the death penalty or life imprisonment without the opportunity to raise a trafficking defence. The time has come for Malaysia to move beyond a punitive approach and adopt a rights-based, victim-focused framework that reflects our international obligations and national conscience. Those coerced into crime should not be punished for their own victimisation. * Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid is a Criminologist and Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
Singapore stays execution of Malaysian for second time
A Singapore court has stayed the execution of a Malaysian prisoner for the second time just hours before he was due to be hanged for drug trafficking on Thursday. Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, 37, had been scheduled for execution at the city-state's Changi Prison for trafficking 51.84 grams (1.83 ounces) of heroin, six years after he was first due to hang. However, a judge ordered a stay of execution late on Wednesday, citing the pending outcome of a complaint by Pannir to Singapore's law society against his former lawyer for alleged misconduct, court documents seen by AFP on Thursday showed. News of the reprieve came after relatives and anti-death penalty advocates staged an evening vigil in Malaysia on Wednesday, lighting candles in front of the Singaporean embassy in Kuala Lumpur. "It's a huge relief that Pannir wasn't executed this morning. But the fight isn't over, a stay is only temporary," Singapore activist Kirsten Han told AFP. "We need to continue pushing forward with the abolitionist movement. We urgently need a moratorium on the use of the death penalty in Singapore, and eventually full abolition," she said. It was the second time Pannir avoided the hangman's noose. He was scheduled to be hanged on May 24, 2019, after his conviction two years earlier but was granted a similar stay the day before. The United Nations and rights groups say capital punishment has no proven deterrent effect and have called for it to be abolished, but Singaporean officials insist it has helped make it one of Asia's safest countries. Under Singapore's tough drug laws, the death penalty applies for any amount above a 15-gram (0.53-ounce) threshold for heroin and 500 grams for cannabis. Singapore has executed three prisoners since the start of the year -- two for drug trafficking and one for a double murder. According to an AFP tally, Singapore has hanged 28 people, most of them drug traffickers, since it resumed carrying out the death penalty in March 2022 after a two-year halt during the Covid-19 pandemic. mba/jhe/pbt
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
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. — 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.
Washington Post
19-02-2025
- Washington Post
Activists to hold vigils to protest death penalty in Singapore as a Malaysian man awaits execution
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Rights activists in Singapore and Malaysia will hold candlelight vigils Wednesday to protest capital punishment as Singaporean authorities prepare to execute a Malaysian man for drug trafficking despite mounting pressure to halt the sentencing. Pannir Selvam Pranthaman was arrested in 2014 for having 52 grams (about 1.8 ounces) of heroin and sentenced to death in 2017. 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 alone; two others were executed for drug-related crimes and one for murder.
