Presidential clemency requested but it’s up to Singapore, Saifuddin says on looming execution

Malaysia has requested for the discretion of the authorities in Singapore to grant presidential clemency to Malaysian detainee Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam, who is sentenced to death in the island republic.

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said Malaysia respects Singapore’s legal process and is still awaiting the decision of the country’s authorities.

“In this case I have to repeat, we can apply, through our means, (by) sending a letter, but we cannot interfere in terms of the affairs and legal processes in Singapore,” he told reporters at an event in Putrajaya today.

Asked about the letter he sent to Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan regarding the case, Saifuddin said he has yet to receive a reply.

Nagaenthran was arrested by Singaporean authorities on April 22, 2009 for smuggling 42.72g of diamorphine into the city-state. He was sentenced to death by the High Court of Singapore on Nov 22, 2010.

The appeal process through the court has already been made by Nagaenthran’s family lawyer up to the final stage, which is through the application for presidential clemency. However, the application was rejected on June 1, 2020.

Saifuddin, in a statement on Wednesday, said the foreign ministry through the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore would continue to monitor the progress of the case and is providing the appropriate consular assistance to Nagaenthran and his family.