KUALA LUMPUR – As Singapore’s hangman gets busy preparing to execute two Malaysians this week – and perhaps others on death row in the following weeks – rapper Prassanth Navaratman, 26, is calling on the island republic’s government to temper justice with mercy by commuting their death sentences to life imprisonment.
His plea comes in the wake of several NGOs, lawyer groups, and international personalities including British billionaire Richard Branson and author-comedian Stephen Fry, having ramped up their voices against the impending executions in an urgent appeal to Singapore in the last few days.
Convicted drug traffickers Nagaenthran Dharmalingam, 34, and Datchinamurthy Kataiah, 35, are slated to be hanged in Changi Prison on Wednesday and Friday respectively.
“So long as there is life, there is hope,” Prassanth, 26, told The Vibes.
The rapper, who also goes by his stage name Kidd Santhe, said the death penalty is hopelessly punitive and final.
“It gives no space and opportunity for a wrongdoer to be reformed. There is no chance for reconciliation at all.
“For a wrongdoer to be reconciled with society, a jail sentence would be a better option. It will provide a chance for prisoners to be rehabilitated and become useful members of society.”
“I am averse to all forms of violence,” said Prassanth, who said he suffered bullying while in school.
“I also view judicial executions as another form of violence. It is abominable and goes against the culture of life.”
However, Prassanth was quick to say that he does not condone the use of illegal drugs, drug peddling, and trafficking.
“Drug addicts are not criminals. They are sick people,” he said.
“Drug traffickers are criminals and must be dealt with by the law. But I am opposed to hanging them, as there are other humane ways of dealing with such criminals and their activities.”
He said he subscribes to the commandment “thou shall not kill” as killing, even judicial executions, are detestable.
“It is not for the law to snuff out the life of a breathing soul. For this reason, I strongly believe the death penalty must be abolished. I am glad that Malaysia is moving in this direction towards abolishing the death penalty.”
Nagaenthran was arrested in 2009 and found guilty a year later for trafficking 42.72g of heroin.
Recently, Prassanth teamed up with veteran singer D.J. Dave to fulfil the wish of another Malaysian languishing on death row in Singapore.
Ipoh-born Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, who plays the guitar, drums, and conga, turned lyricist while on death row.
“Pannir wanted me to put his lyrics ‘Disebalik Pintu Besi’ (Behind Iron Bars) into a music video. The lyrics are a reflection of his pain, trauma, loneliness, forgiveness, and hope, which he had penned on death row.
“The music video, which will be released soon, is intended to trigger public discussion on the death penalty as well,” said Prassanth.
“Pannir managed to pass his lyrics to his sister when she visited him in prison last July. His sister contacted me and emailed the lyrics to me.”
According to Prassanth, Pannir was scheduled to be hanged on May 24 last year, but was given a stay of execution to allow him time to make a clemency challenge.
He added that Pannir had also written two other songs titled “Arah Tuju” and “Bukan Sekadar Hikayat” featuring music makers Santes Kumar and Saint TFC.
“Perhaps, ‘Disebalik Pintu Besi’ would probably be his last,” added Prassanth.
Pannir was convicted of trafficking 51.84g of heroin at the Woodlands Checkpoint in September 2014. He was sentenced to death in May 2017. – The Vibes, April 24, 2022
