COMMENT | Appeal to Singapore govt: Abandon 'barbarism'

Next Wednesday (Nov 10), Nagaenthran Dharmalingam is scheduled to be executed by the Singapore government on charges of drug trafficking.

The 33-year-old has been documented to have an IQ of 69. Having an IQ of below 70 is considered an intellectual impairment, technically making Nagaenthran a differently-abled person.

I learned the following details from Nagen's family members:

In 2009, 21-year-old Nagen was working in Johor Bahru. He did not come from a rich family, so when his father was going to have a heart operation, he approached a man (let’s call him K) for a RM500 loan.

K agreed to give the loan if Nagen would carry something into Singapore. When Nagen protested, K physically assaulted Nagen and threatened to kill Nagen’s girlfriend.

Nagen entered Singapore with 42g (less than three tablespoons) of diamorphine strapped to his thigh.

The drugs were discovered by the Singaporean authorities, and Nagen was allegedly strip-searched and abused. Nagen was arrested, charged, and eventually sentenced to death under the Misuse of Drugs Act...