IPOH – As the clock struck 10pm on Wednesday, Vinoth Arusu, who works in Singapore, had only one mission on his mind – to make a beeline for the Johor causeway and be on his way north of the peninsula.
The 22-year-old who works as a kitchen porter in Jurong East’s IMM mall got on his motorcycle and set out on an arduous 570km ride, with hopes to reach Ipoh in time to pay his respects to a stranger, whom he thinks of as a brother.
Despite only taking short breaks en route to the capital city of Perak, it took Vinoth one and a half days to finally arrive at the family house of late Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam in Tg Rambutan.
Vinoth has been following the high-profile case closely and wanted to pay tribute to “Brother Nagaen”, who was hanged at dawn on Wednesday in Changi Prison.
“I knew of Brother Nagaen through TikTok videos and the news, but not personally,” he said when met by The Vibes at Nagaenthran’s house.
“I was initially shy to come see him for the first and last time. My family wanted to tag along, but they couldn’t get leave from work. So, I came and made a video call to allow the rest of my family to pay their respects.”
Vinoth, who is also Ipoh-born, said it was heart-breaking to learn of Nagaenthran’s execution.
“But it is all too late now, so it really hurts. That’s why I made it a point to travel here.”
He expressed concern for Nagaenthran’s mother, Panchalai Supermaniam, who had passed out before the arrival of the body in the wee hours of yesterday morning.
Vinoth offered words of support in hopes that Panchalai would find strength in grief.
“She is heartbroken to see her son finally home after more than 12 years as a dead man. I only hope for her to recover and find strength.”
Nagaenthran, who was arrested in 2009 for trafficking 42.72g of heroin into neighbouring Singapore, was certified during his trial to have an IQ of 69.
However, the trial judge ruled that he was on the borderline of having a functional intellect and the court concluded that he was aware he was committing a crime.
After exhausting every avenue of appeal, Nagaenthran was executed in Changi Prison – 11 years after being on death row after being sentenced for drug-related charges.
He will be laid to rest at the Hindu cemetery in Buntong between 2pm and 4pm today after a prayer session at the family house.
Yesterday, Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau outlined findings that said Nagaenthran was mentally sound and fully aware of his criminal actions, contrary to public outcry. – The Vibes, April 29, 2022
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