Another M'sian in death row in S'pore fails in his appeal

SINGAPORE: Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, another Malaysian in death row in Singapore for a drug offence, failed in his appeal on Friday (Nov 26) to start a court challenge against his death sentence.

Pannir was initially scheduled to be executed on May 24, 2019, but found a last minute reprieve when the Singapore Court of Appeal granted his application for the stay of execution, to enable him to challenge the clemency process.

He was convicted on June 27, 2017 by the Singapore High Court for trafficking in 51.84g of diamorphine at the Woodlands Checkpoint on Sept 3, 2014. On Feb 12, 2020, the High Court had dismissed his bid to start a court challenge against the rejection of his clemency plea.

Earlier this month, another Malaysian Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam, who was to be hanged on Nov 10, was saved from the hangman's noose after the Court of Appeal that was to hear his last-bid attempt against the death sentence was told he had tested positive for COVID-19. Nagaentran's appeal is to be heard on coming Tuesday (Nov 30).

In Pannir's case it was reported that apart from challenging the clemency process, he also sought to challenge the Public Prosecutor's decision not to issue him a certificate of substantive assistance.

Friday's court decision was reportedly hinged on whether the information provided by Pannir to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) had substantively assisted the agency in disrupting drug trafficking activities.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act of Singapore, drug couriers issued a certificate of substantive assistance by the prosecution could be sentenced to life imprisonment and caning instead of the death penalty, said a report.

Meanwhile, the family when contacted by Bernama here today appeared calm despite receiving the unfavorable news from Pannir who had called them around 3pm Friday after the judgment.

"We are still calm but we cannot deny that we feel shaken a bit ..inside.. we still believe in God," said his elder sister Sangkari Pranthaman.

Asked what will be the next step for his brother, Sangkari said they were still waiting for instruction from the lawyers.

"Actually, so far we don't know what to do. We are at a loss. We are still trying to digest yesterday's news. But we have to do something," she said.

Sangkari is planning to fly to Singapore to meet her brother whom she had not met over the last 20 months due to the Singapore-Malaysia border closure to contain the COVID-19 pandemic

"I'm thinking of traveling to Singapore again. Maybe in the coming weeks, me and my sister will travel to Singapore to meet my brother," she said adding that during the pre-COVID-19 days she would meet her brother in the prison twice a month.

On what her brother said to her when he called on Friday, she repeated his words "Don't be sad. I know you will be very sad. I'm calling you because I want you to hear my voice. By now lawyer must have called you. Don't feel bad. We will see what we can do. I want to say that I am ok."

Sangkari also said that Pannir is still positive and strong despite the fate that befell him.

Meanwhile, one of Pannir's lawyer, Too Xing Ji was reported saying after the verdict that his client has not given instructions to file any further application.

-- BERNAMA