Nazri calls for immediate review of all drug-related death sentences

KUALA LUMPUR: A senior MP has called for an immediate review of the death sentences imposed for drug traffickers, following the suspension of execution of Malaysian citizen Nagaenthran Dharmalingam in Singapore.

"We must remember that we, as MPs, have the power today to decide on the withdrawal of death sentences with regard to drug cases.

"We have to sit together and stop it," Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz (BN-Padang Rengas) said when debating Budget 2022 in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Nov 10).

He said it was illogical that Malaysia continued to sentence drug traffickers to death, yet appeal for clemency for Malaysians who were sentenced to hang in other countries for similar offences.

"Where is the moral ground for us to appeal for clemency from other countries when we hang the others here for drug offences," he said.

Based on an official answer given in Parliament in August last year, Nazri said there were 918 inmates on death row following convictions under Section 39(B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

"Of this, 472 are Malaysians while 446 were foreigners. What sort of action will we take if the countries appeal to our government for clemency?

"We have to sort this out," he said.

He also noted that "every life was precious and a gift from God" and the government must review the law immediately.

"What is the special right of the government to take a life?

"There is no logic and it is inconsistent," he said, adding that the power to sentence a drug trafficker to death was conferred by law, which could be rectified by Parliament.

He urged Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who was presiding over Dewan Rakyat proceedings, to bring the matter up with the government.

Azalina, who is Pengerang MP, was recently appointed as Special Advisor (Law and Human Rights) to the Prime Minister.

Nazri was referring to the case involving Malaysian citizen Nagaenthran, 33, who was supposed to be hanged in Singapore on Wednesday for drug trafficking, but was given a reprieve by the High Court there following an appeal for review to the Court of Appeal.

Nagaenthran was arrested in April 2009 for trafficking about 42.72g of pure heroin and his lawyers had launched a last-ditch appeal against the execution, arguing he was not of sound mind.

It was reported on Sunday (Nov 7) that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had written to his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong seeking leniency in Nagaenthran's case.

Meanwhile, Nazri commended Ismail Sabri's effort in seeking leniency for Nagaenthran.

"Despite not having the moral high ground to do so, he was thick-faced and wrote the letter," he said.

He noted that the action taken by Ismail Sabri reflected his conviction to the Malaysian Family concept, where every citizen was part of a larger Malaysian family.

"The action by the Prime Minister clearly shows that the Malaysian Family is not merely a slogan but a practice which should be adopted by all Malaysians," he added.

Nazri said he hoped that the courts in Singapore would consider commuting Nagaenthran's death sentence to life imprisonment instead.