KUALA LUMPUR: A group of lawmakers urged Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and the police to verify the investigation status concerning a death-row Malaysian citizen in Singapore.
Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, who represented the group, said Pannir Selvam Pranthaman was interviewed by senior officers from Bukit Aman at Changi Prison, Singapore, on Sept 27. During that interview, which lasted for about 3 hours, Pannir Selvam provided information identifying individuals responsible for handing him the drugs in Malaysia.
“We understand that the police have since opened an active investigation into those individuals.
“In that event, Pannir Selvam would be a material witness in proceedings that could dismantle the very syndicate responsible for cross-border trafficking of narcotics,” he added.
He also mentioned that Pannir Selvam’s solicitors in the country wrote to the Criminal Investigation Department, Bukit Aman, on Monday morning (Oct 6), seeking an update.
“As the execution is due to be carried out in less than 48 hours (Aug 8), we urge the Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail or the police to publicly confirm that investigations are currently ongoing and are not completed yet on an urgent basis,” said Ramkarpal
The group also called for the Singapore government to consider halting the execution order against Pannir Selvam in the interest of justice.
“As it is unlikely that a full and comprehensive investigation can be carried out and completed at this stage, given that a statement was only taken from Pannir Selvam recently.
“We do not doubt that the assistance rendered by Pannir Selvam may potentially cripple the said cross-border trafficking syndicate, which can only benefit both Malaysia and Singapore,” he said.
Pannir Selvam, 38, was convicted by the High Court on May 2, 2017, for importing not less than 51.84g of diamorphine into Singapore and was sentenced to the mandatory death penalty.
The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal on Feb 9, 2018, and his clemency petition to the President of Singapore was rejected.
Pannir Selvam was granted a stay of execution on two occasions. The first was in May 2019, on the basis that he intended to challenge the rejection of his clemency petition and the Public Prosecutor's decision not to issue a certificate of substantive assistance.
The second stay of execution was granted in February 2025, pending the determination of the post-appeal application for a stay of execution, which was later rejected on Sept 5.
This would be the second execution of a Malaysian in the republic within a span of two weeks, following the execution of K. Datchinamurthy on Sept 25.
In July this year, two Malaysians were also executed for drug offences.
