YOURSAY | ‘I believe that most of us did not know of Nagaenthran’s mental health issues...’

The absurdity of another M'sian in S'pore being sentenced to death

FairMalaysian: Thank you to human rights lawyer M Ravi for highlighting the Singapore Court of Appeal’s dismissal of the appeal against the death sentence of Malaysian D Nagaenthran.

I believe that most of us did not know of Nagaenthran’s mental health issues and having treated a number with such disabilities myself, it is grossly wrong to even charge him if the medical evaluation reveals that he is suffering from such a disability, however minor that can be.

I am wondering whether the defence had engaged their own expert to bring this to the notice of the court. I agree it will be a gross injustice to ignore this fact.

Rick Teo: There is no absurdity in Singapore sentencing another Malaysian to death. The law is clear. You commit capital crimes like drug trafficking there, you pay the price.

Singapore practices what it preaches, unlike in Malaysia, where capital crimes can be overlooked and the perpetrators can go free. Such as in the killing of Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean President Kim Jong-un.

Satu Msian: Yes, it's just plain stupid to pin blame on any government for applying appropriate laws to offenders.

These offenders are just going to say ‘thank you’ every time they make a trip across the border with drugs in tow.

Clearwater: Singapore is a fine city to visit, but you must obey their oftentimes draconian laws. There is no compromise when you commit wrongdoing there.

It matters not whether you are a visitor or a resident – if you do the crime, you pay the price. That is why you can walk the crime-free streets safely at night. In which large city can you do that?

Determined Sarawakian: The death penalty is no longer relevant. Singapore should be able to justify the relevance of a mandatory death penalty.

This punishment is only a seeming deterrent if the enforcement of drug trafficking is an international commitment. If not, it is as good as US President Donald Trump saying that the wall along the Mexican border can prevent undocumented migrants from coming in.

Singapore should lead the way in Asean in forging solutions and conducting joint operations in stemming the tide of the drug trade in the Golden Triangle and the Mekong Delta region. It’s the right time to do this right once and for all.

Fair Play: If we think with our heads instead of with our hearts, we should know better that Singapore will observe the rule of law when meting out a sentence, especially a death sentence, even to its own citizens.

Anonymous182736491278: As someone said: “A law without heart has no grandeur.” The issue is how we interpret that.

ABC123: Imagine if Singapore let this man go. What about the Singaporeans and other nationals who have been punished for similar offences? What about future cases? Or is Singapore supposed to punish all except Malaysians?

Stop expecting Singapore to give special treatment to Malaysians. It’s their law and their land. If Singapore wanted to complain about unjust and racially discriminatory Malaysian laws, they have many to choose from. But they don’t. Singapore minds their own business.

You want to stop Malaysians from being executed in Singapore for drug offences? Make sure our own Customs Departments are effective and efficient.

How come Singapore Customs can detect them but ours cannot? Is it our incompetence, corruption, or both?

Avenger: Have some of you no shame? Here is an international human rights lawyer who is speaking up for a mentally disabled Malaysian drug mule, and commenters here are supporting Singapore’s bloodthirsty behaviour.

Anonymous_F9ff437: @Avenger, stop your double standards. Malaysia used to have the same death penalty. So stop picking on Singapore. Wait till some pusher sells drugs to your family then you will say different.

Avenger: @Anonymous_F9ff437, the key phrase is ‘used to have’. We don't hang drug offenders automatically now.

So we do have the moral authority to tell Singapore to stop murdering people. And listen, nobody is saying don't punish traffickers with long imprisonment.

We are only saying don't hang them, that's a brutal medieval thing. Are we bloodthirsty, backward medieval brutes?

Hopeful: Indeed, the issue here is not the morality of Singapore or any other nation executing drug traffickers.

The issue here is whether it is moral to execute someone who one doctor believes suffers from mental illness or intellectual disability, and why the Singapore court seems hell-bent on disproving the assessment in their bid to execute him.

Liew: M'sia had no hand in S'pore decision to stay Pannir's execution

Roger 5201: If only de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong was that influential.

Anonymous_1527925388: Singapore always maintains that its judiciary is independent. How can a letter from Liew affect their judgment? Singapore Law Minister K Shanmugam should have more faith in his own country’s judicial system.

As much as Malaysia tries to ask for clemency for its citizens, there would definitely be times Singapore did the same with their citizens in the same predicament.

Anonymous_770241447347646: Would Singapore have not exercised political means to try and ask for clemency for their citizens?

Asking for clemency is not interfering in the laws of any nation. In the end, it is the holders of the law of that nation that make the final decision.

It is the duty of the leaders to try and speak out for their people. Trying to protect them, even after knowing criminal acts have occurred.

Karma is Just: All parent with drug addict children should curse Liew and others like him for supporting this drug courier. Rest assured, they will meet with karma.

Rupert 16: @Karma is Just, I am not a supporter of drug couriers. I am a supporter of people who can stand up against arrogant bullies who hold high positions. So don’t jump to conclusions.

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