[UPDATED] S’pore to hang Nagaenthran tomorrow as court dismisses last-ditch appeal

KUALA LUMPUR – The Singapore Court of Appeal has reportedly dismissed a last-ditch application to spare the life of Malaysian Nagaenthran Dharmalingam, who will face the gallows tomorrow, said a lawyer.

N. Surendran tweeted that the court had disallowed Nagaenthran’s mother Panchalai Supermaniam from appointing a lawyer for the final application.

He claimed that the final appeal was dismissed in “appalling” circumstances.

“(The) verdict (was) given without hearing from Nagaen’s side at all.”

Nagaenthran, who has been said to have an IQ of 69, is scheduled to hang tomorrow after failing an earlier appeal to overturn his conviction for drug trafficking in the city state.

Yesterday, Lawyers For Liberty (LFL) chief coordinator Zaid Malek said the challenge was filed through Panchalai and that she would be represented if the appellate court were to hear the challenge today.

Zaid said Nagaenthran’s family had to personally file the challenge without the assistance of any legal firms as they have been unable to obtain the services of a lawyer in Singapore.

An hour before the verdict, activist Kokila Annamalai said the prosecution team had claimed that Panchalai had abused the court process by bringing an application by herself.

On Facebook, Kokila said the prosecution claimed Panchalai had “no standing” to bring an application to the court.

She added that Panchalai was “pressed” to reveal who had helped her draft the application “behind the scenes”.

“The prosecution demanded that Mdm Panchalai disclose the identities of those involved. The prosecution alleged that lawyers cannot hide behind Nagen and his mother, and ‘use them as vessels’ to make arguments.

“There are provisions in the law for ordinary citizens and prisoners to bring applications directly – this is why the court heard Mdm Panchalai’s application today.”

Kokila said the prosecution asserted that the application had no merit and asked the court for a dismissal.

Nagaenthran was arrested in 2009 and found guilty a year later for trafficking in 42.72g of heroin.

During his trial, a judge ruled that Nagaenthran was on the borderline of having a functional intellect, with the court concluding that he was aware he was committing a crime.

Last Saturday, political groups and civil society organisations had gathered outside the Singapore High Commission here to protest the Singapore government’s decision to proceed with Nagaenthran’s execution.

The case also attracted international attention, with British billionaire Sir Richard Branson and UK comedian and author Stephen Fry calling for clemency. – The Vibes, April 26, 2022