KUALA LUMPUR – The family of Malaysian Kalwant Singh, who is scheduled to be hanged on July 7, is racing against time to file for clemency with the Singaporean government.
This is made more challenging as no Singaporean lawyer is willing to take up the case, according to human rights advocacy group Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (Adpan).
Adpan representative Nadzirah Yaakop said Kalwant’s family was only given the notice of execution on June 30, leaving them little time to put together their documents.
She and several Adpan representatives held a protest in front of the Singapore High Commission here today after submitting a memorandum urging the republic to halt Kalwant’s execution.
“We have raised a few concerns, obviously the Singaporean government needed to give more compassionate time to the family, especially as they face difficulties in meeting Kalwant due to travel restrictions imposed by both countries due to the pandemic,” said Nadzirah.
Kalwant was 23 years old when he was first detained for drug trafficking on October 24, 2013 in Singapore.
Since his conviction in 2016, he has been on death row for six years and in prison for nine.
Kalwant, now 32, and his co-accused were recognised to be drug couriers during their trial in Singapore.
However, Nadzirah said while Kalwant’s co-accused was granted a Certificate of Substantive Assistance, he was not accorded such an opportunity.
“This is despite the fact that he was extremely cooperative with the Singapore Central Narcotic Bureau investigating officers during their investigation.”
Kalwant’s case file showed the prosecution contended that Kalwant obstructed the investigation based on the allegation that he had tipped off his employer then, known as “Anna” when he was made to arrange another drug drop while he was in custody.
The investigators alleged that Kalwant spoke to “Anna” in Tamil and presumably tipped off his boss. It was reported in court that none of the investigating officers involved was able to understand Tamil.
The defence said such insinuation would result in an inference against Kalwant, but the presiding judge determined that it was unnecessary for this point to be addressed and made no finding on the contention by the prosecution.
Another Adpan representative Sky Siaw called for leniency against Kalwant as he had committed the crime when he was young.
“He had more than served his time and deserved leniency.” – The Vibes, July 4, 2022
