S'pore court halts execution of M'sian drug trafficker hours before scheduled hanging

The execution of a Malaysian man, who was previously convicted of trafficking drugs into Singapore, was delayed just hours before he was set to hang on Feb. 20.

Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, arrested in 2014, convicted in May 2017 and sentenced to death, was granted a stay of execution on Feb. 19.

First delay

The Malaysian had been found guilty of importing 51.84g of diamorphine, also known as heroin, into Singapore.

Trafficking more than 15g of heroin is a capital offence.

He was found to have been a courier and handed the mandatory death sentence, as the prosecution did not issue a certificate of substantial assistance (CSA).

The certificate, which vouches that the accused has substantively assisted the investigation, could have spared him the death penalty.

Pannir subsequently appealed against his conviction and sentence.

When that was dismissed, he petitioned the president for clemency.

But this was similarly declined.

He was then scheduled for execution on May 24, 2019, but sought and was granted a stay of execution, on the basis that he intended to challenge the rejection of his clemency petition.

He also intended to challenge the prosecution's decision not to issue a CSA to him.

Both his application and his subsequent appeal were dismissed by the High Court.

Second delay

On Jan. 27, 2025, the president issued an order for Pannir to be executed on Feb. 20.

He received the notice of execution on Feb. 16.

Following this, he sought a stay of execution, citing factors such an ongoing complaint to the Law Society of Singapore against his former lawyer, where Pannir was the main complainant.

He also cited an ongoing appeal by other death row prisoners, involving a constitutional challenge to a section under the Misuse of Drugs Act, which might have a "fundamental impact" on his conviction if successful.

He was granted the stay of execution on Feb. 19 pending the post-appeal application in a capital case.

Background

Prior to his scheduled execution, Malaysian lawmakers had urged its government to intervene and to allow him to return to Malaysia for further investigations.

"We oppose the use of the death penalty on drug mules who are themselves victims in the million-dollar transactions by syndicates that are roaming free,” said a Malaysian Member of Parliament (MP) at a Feb. 17 press conference, according to The Star.

He added that Pannir was a "victim of circumstance".

His sister, Angelia Pranthaman, said at the same press conference that all the family members had 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 through tears.

Top image from @kixes/Instagram