Final send-off: 200 friends, family members gather for Nagaenthran's funeral

IPOH: About 200 friends and family members were present to send-off Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam on his final journey at his home in Tanjung Rambutan near here on Friday (April 29).

Several men carried his casket during a 500m procession from his house to the main road on Jalan Tambun before continuing on in a hearse to the crematorium in Buntong.

ALSO READ: Nagaenthran to be buried in Buntong on April 29, says family

According to a relative who declined to be named, the prayers started at about 12.30pm Friday.

He said all those present paid their respects by having a last look at Nagaenthran.

ALSO READ: We accept Nagaenthran's sentence with a heavy heart, says sister

"His closest family members will apply some oil to his forehead.

"Those who did so will observe vegetarian meals for 13 days.

"After his mother and siblings, relatives will put rice in his mouth," he added.

ALSO READ: Nagaenthran has been executed, says family

Nagaenthran was executed at the Changi Prison in Singapore on April 27 - some 11 years after being on death row there after being sentenced for drug-related crimes.

The Singapore Court of Appeal had a day earlier dismissed a last-ditch legal challenge filed by Nagaenthran’s mother to set aside her son's conviction and death sentence.

ALSO READ: Last-ditch bid to save Nagaenthran from gallows fails

Nagaenthran, the second of four siblings, was sentenced to death in 2010 for trafficking 42.72g of heroin into Singapore in 2009.

He was supposed to have been hanged on Nov 10, 2021, but found temporary respite on Nov 9 after the court was told that he had tested positive for Covid-19 when he appeared for a last-bid attempt against his death sentence.

ALSO READ: PM seeks leniency in Nagaenthran's case

On Nov 7, 2021, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had reportedly written to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong seeking leniency in this case.

On Dec 3, Singapore President Halimah Yacob said Nagaenthran had been accorded full due process under the law.

ALSO READ: ‘Nagaenthran has been accorded full due process under the law’

During the prayers, family members were wailing away as they prepared to send Nagaenthran off.

Some firecrackers were also set off.