Malaysian MPs call for intervention in Pannir Selvam’s impending execution in Singapore

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Malaysian Members of Parliament have urged the government to take immediate steps to postpone the scheduled execution of Malaysian citizen Pannir Selvam Pranthaman in Singapore on 20 February.

The appeal was made during a press conference on 17 February, where MPs and human rights groups voiced serious concerns over the case.

Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) called on Malaysia to formally request a stay of execution and allow Pannir to return home to assist with ongoing investigations.

He argued that Pannir, convicted of drug trafficking in 2017, was a drug mule and not a major trafficker, making him a "victim of circumstances."

"While we fully support efforts to combat the drug menace, we oppose the use of the death penalty on drug mules who are themselves victims in these million-dollar transactions by syndicates that roam free," Ramkarpal said.

Pannir’s sister, Angelia Pranthaman, attended the press conference and was visibly emotional as she described receiving the letter confirming his execution on 16 February.

"All my family members have gone to Singapore to be with him. He is in a state of depression and despair because all his appeals have been rejected," she said.

Ramkarpal highlighted that Malaysian police had opened an investigation file, and Pannir could provide valuable information regarding his recruiter, who had handed him the drugs a decade ago.

He cited past cases where foreign nationals sentenced to death in Indonesia were returned to their home countries to serve their sentences.

Other Malaysian MPs present at the conference included Subang Jaya MP Wong Chen, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Batu MP Prabakaran Parameswaran, and former Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto.

Amnesty International condemns execution

Human rights organisations also joined the call for intervention.

Amnesty International Malaysia issued a statement expressing deep concern over Pannir’s case, calling his execution "arbitrary and unlawful under international law."

“He was sentenced to death for drug-related offences, which do not meet the threshold of the ‘most serious crimes’ to which the use of this punishment must be restricted under international human rights law and standards,” Amnesty stated.

The organisation further criticised Singapore’s legal framework, arguing that Pannir was found to be a courier but was denied a Certificate of Substantial Assistance (CSA) by prosecutors.

Without this certificate, the judge was legally bound to impose the death penalty. Amnesty claimed this violated the right to a fair trial by allowing the prosecution, rather than an independent court, to decide between life and death.

Chiara Sangiorgio, Amnesty International’s death penalty expert, condemned Singapore’s recent increase in executions, calling the country’s approach "beyond reproachable."

“We urge the Singapore government to immediately establish a moratorium on all executions as a first critical step towards abolition,” she said, adding that the international community should step up pressure on Singapore to prevent "this cruel and senseless execution."

Amnesty also noted that from 1 October 2024 to 7 February 2025, Singapore had carried out nine executions, including eight for drug offences. Singapore is among only five countries confirmed to have executed individuals for drug-related crimes in 2023.

Pannir’s legal battle and past appeals

Pannir was arrested on 4 September 2014 at Woodlands Checkpoint in Singapore with 51.84g of heroin.

He was convicted of drug trafficking on 27 June 2017 by the Singapore High Court and sentenced to death.

Although he was found to be a courier, he was denied the CSA because the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) deemed his information neither new nor useful.

His legal team argued that the CSA should have been granted as he had provided significant intelligence on his recruiter, leading to the arrest of Zamri—who operated under the alias "Jimmy"—on 14 October 2014.

However, the Court of Appeal upheld the prosecution’s decision, ruling that Pannir’s information was not actively used in drug enforcement operations.

Pannir, now 37, has spent nearly a decade on death row. Since his conviction, he has used poetry, songs, and letters to express his experiences.

In a 2019 poem titled Death Row Literature, he wrote: “Before taking your life, they will take everything else away.”

The poem was dedicated to his friend Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam, who was executed in Singapore in April 2022.

Family’s efforts to save Pannir

Pannir’s family has been actively campaigning for clemency.

His sisters, Sangkari and Angelia, have worked with Malaysian musicians to transform his lyrics into songs, while also running Sebaran Kasih, an NGO supporting marginalised communities.

Amnesty International has collected over 1,000 petitions urging the Malaysian government to intervene.

As the execution date nears, calls for clemency grow louder, with activists urging Malaysia to leverage its diplomatic ties with Singapore.

"The government must not spare any efforts to stop this execution from taking place," Amnesty stressed.

Pannir’s case has reignited debate over Singapore’s strict drug laws, which impose the mandatory death penalty for trafficking over 15g of heroin unless specific conditions are met.

As of today, 113 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes, with 144 nations either abolitionist in law or practice.

With two days remaining before Pannir Selvam’s scheduled execution, activists, family members, and Malaysian lawmakers are making a final push for clemency.

A candlelight vigil will be held on 19 February at Singapore’s Speakers’ Corner, Hong Lim Park, to honour Pannir and the 12 individuals executed in the past year. The event is expected to draw activists, supporters, and the public.