Pull out all diplomatic stops, Putrajaya urged ahead of Nagaenthran’s execution in Singapore

NGO Sebaran Kasih today urged the Malaysian government to use any and all diplomatic means at its disposal to stop Singapore’s execution of Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam, scheduled to take place in less than a week.

It also urged political and business leaders in the country to speak up on Nagaenthran’s behalf.

“The options are plentiful – the police, the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the foreign ministry and the Prime Minister’s Department can do so much more,” it said.

“So much more than what is being done now. The Malaysian government can also raise the issue of Nagaenthran’s mental health and fitness for execution at the International Court of Justice.”

Nagaenthran is scheduled to be executed on April 27 after losing multiple attempts to halt the death sentence handed down to him in 2010 for trafficking a small amount of heroin into Singapore.

Supporters say Nagaenthran has an IQ of 69 – a level recognised as a disability – and was coerced into committing the crime.

He was scheduled to be hanged in November last year but the verdict sparked criticism due to concerns he has intellectual disabilities, with the European Union and British billionaire Richard Branson among those condemning the decision.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob were among Malaysian government leaders who had also written to Singapore authorities asking for leniency on behalf of Nagaenthran.

Nagaenthran’s latest petition for clemency was rejected on March 31, two days after the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal against his death sentence.

Sebaran Kasih in its statement cited the case of two others who were convicted in 2010 of trafficking heroin from Myanmar into Singapore.

It said Cheong Chun Yin and Pang Siew Fum were sentenced to death by hanging but Cheong was later acknowledged as a drug mule, caned and ordered to serve life imprisonment instead.

Cheong was also given a certificate of substansive assistance, while Pang was allowed to serve life imprisonment as a result of mental illness.

“Why can (Nagaenthran) not be placed under life imprisonment like Pang Siew Fum?” the NGO said.

“How are the circumstances in his case any different? Why is Nagaenthran not exempted from the death penalty?”

Adding that Nagaenthran’s mental condition had deteriorated due to mental trauma suffered on death row in prison, Sebaran Kasih said Singapore had been a member of the United Nations since 1965 and was duty-bound to respect human rights.