Andrew Loh
Yong Vui Kong’s death sentence “should stand”, the Principal Private Secretary (PPS) to President Nathan said in a letter from the Istana. In a one-sentence response to the petition for clemency for Yong, which was sent to the President a month ago by members of the Singapore Anti-Death Penalty Campaign (SADPC), the President’s PPS said:
“I am directed to refer to the petition for clemency of Yong Vui Kong and to inform you that the President, after due consideration of the petition and on advice of the Cabinet, has decided that the sentence of death should stand.”
Yong, a Malaysian and who was 19 when he was arrested, was sentenced to death in January 2009 for trafficking 47g of heroin into Singapore in June 2008. He was convicted under the Misuse of Drugs Act which carries a mandatory death sentence for anyone caught trafficking more than 15gm of heroin, 30gm of cocaine or 500gm of cannabis.
All three of Yong’s appeals have now been rejected.
In a statement in response to the President’s rejection of the appeal, members of the SADPC say Yong is expected to be hanged the week after next. Yong has also agreed to donate his organs, the SADPC statement says.
Yong’s lawyer, Mr M Ravi, faced some difficulties with the Singapore Prison Service in gaining access to his client last week. However, his application to see Yong has now been approved and he is expected to visit Yong in the forthcoming week.
Singapore has one of the highest rates of State-sanctioned executions in the world. Anti-Death Penalty campaigners and Human Rights activists, both here and abroad, have highlighted the shortcomings in the law and in the procedures in determining guilt.
The Singapore government, however, has always stood by its stand that capital punishment is a deterrent, for example, to drug traffickers.
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The following is a statement from the SADPC.
The President has responded to the petition for clemency of Yong Vui Kong sent in by the Singapore Anti-Death Penalty Campaign (SADPC) through his Principal Private Secretary Mr Tan Eng Beng.
“I am directed to refer to the petition for clemency of Yong Vui Kong and to inform you that the President, after due consideration of the petition and on the advice of the Cabinet, has decided that the sentence of death should stand.”
According to the date stated on the letter, the statement was issued on 20 November 2009. M Ravi, lawyer for Yong and co-campaigner of the SADPC, received the letter on 26 November 2009.
Yong has also signed a document agreeing to donate his organs.
Although no date has been fixed yet, he is expected to hang the week after next.
M Ravi has been allowed to talk to his client and will do so in the week to come. Further legal action to save Yong in this short amount of time, is being planned. Let’s all hope for the best.
Singapore Anti Death Penalty Campaign
singaporeantideathpenalty@gmail.com
——
“What happens when the illness is an untreatable cancer?”
What happens when it is an untreatable cancer? Oh….i better stop….wait it will bring about debate on euthanasia….however Mr Lobo, don’t forget that what is untreatable now will not be so in the future…everything changes…and of course, like the saying goes, prevention is better then cure, so a healthy lifestyle etc etc will maybe..just maybe…reduce the chance of you having to go through that ordeal…
“btw, do you know you just described palliative care? ”
Yes, I do know that…I was trying to think of what the TCM was saying, and did a Cn-Eng Translation, babel-fish style..
and as for the bullet analogy, you do not expect infantry man to have the “one shot one kill” motto of a sniper right?
In my opinion, nobody really wants the young fellow dead whether we are for or against capital punishment. Unfortunately, the poor guy got caught in drug trafficking – a law with capital punishment in Singapore today.
As for whether the law is applicable to our current environment, that’s a separate topic of discussion altogether – arguably, any human-devised system will have flaw(s), always is, and forever will.
In my opinion, both Mavis and Tan Cheng Hua have presented very good “views” from both school of thoughts. The balance is always the tricky part as while we strive to be just, in reality, whether justice is served is subjected on ones’ experience and perception.
Nonetheless, a word of caution: To what end does it serve Singapore to justify such an action (capital punishment) in today’s context?
If taking one’s life doesn’t deserve critical thinking, it shows how much our country has progressed over the years. Think from the perspective of the defendent, as well as the perspective of the family members destroyed by drugs.
Ask yourselves, how can or should our law be improved?
PS: Admitting to our own flaws is the first step to a better tomorrow.
The fact that his mum just found out about the arrest and sentence is even more heart breaking.
Given that there are such draconian laws in Singapore, the question for now is not whether such law should be abolished but how to prevent the next victim from running foul of such a law.
Please bear with me as I present to you two principles applied in two different types of law in S’pore – defamation law and the law for death penalty, and the issue of presumption.
DEFAMATION
In Singapore, we have seen, over the years, the many defamation lawsuits brought by the leaders of the PAP against opposition members. Now, if you have followed the cases closely, you will notice one thing:
In all the cases, the defendants (ie, the PAP people) did not have to prove a single thing.
The entire burden of prove has always been on the accusers – such as Dr Chee.
Dr Chee is required to prove, for example, that the PAP was run like the NKF or that the PAP is corrupt like the NKF.
The PAP leaders didn’t have to prove anything.
The onus is on the accusers. Always. Always. Always.
DEATH PENALTY LAW
Now, in the death penalty law, the reverse is true – the burden of proof is on the defendant, instead of the accuser (ie, the police).
If you think about it, ask yourself this:
Why is the law obviously biased in favour of someone who’s had his reputation allegedly defamed but not biased in a similar way for someone who’s being charged for a capital offence?
Why is the burden of prove, in a defamation case, placed on the accuser, while the burden of prove, in a drug trafficking case, placed on the shoulders of the accused?
Is a name more important than a life?
Something to think about.
Sorry, the word “prove” in my above posting should instead be “proof”. Burden of proof.
By the way, I do not think Mavis has made a convincing case at all. All she did was to shut her eyes, place her hands over her ears and keep shouting, “I WANT THE DEATH PENALTY”, ignoring everything that we say.
Indeed, she has since MIA-ed herself from this discussion.
Pretty sad.
The PAPies should make this drug trafficker a foreign talent too, since they are so hard-up of foreign talents, right?
I suspect someone just want to silence the boy from talking, from giving evidence against the drug lords in Burma. Otherwise, why so eager to kill him?
Post @160.
I blame it on the political leaders for the people (including poster of 160) we have today in Singapore, and I blame it on the education system. This sort of comment and the state of the country (with relaxed immigration rules) can only be possible from a fourth world country.
153) Yamamoto on December 1st, 2009 5.05 pm
Well, In fact, since I am not a drug lord, i won’t know the cost…and i never say that it is free, just that it is negligible when compared to the overall profit
use your gray matter instead and ask yourself, since you don’t know the cost, how you know it is negligible compared to overall cost? you don’t.
if it is not so profitable, why will they do it and make people take such risk?
If it that profitable, then by reducing the risk, are you in fact encouraging more to do it? maybe you need to use your gray matter too…
Ahh…so I see, mr/miss lobo
I am Mr.
but it is brought up to show that using drug-cause-death as an excuse is not an excuse at all…
shows your one tracking thinking… fact is, it’s not the death of the addict that’s the problem. it’s the crimes that will result also (what addicts will do for their next dose), plus the suffering of the people around the addict.
but you reject and deny their point because it differs from yours….how sad….how sad…
Sounds like you are describing yourself. lol
I know I would not be able to convince you idealists to change. My only objective was to show that there ARE people who do support the death penalty.
Mavis @95
You keep going on about facts & evidence. Yong possessed more than 15 gms of heroine. No one dispute that. Do you have facts & evidence that Yong owns those drugs and trades them for his own gain? Where did the 19 yr old get the money to buy those drugs, who from, and selling to who? Does the court have these facts and evidence?
Death penalty itself is henious. To impose it on a 19 yr old who has just been used by the trader of the drugs is the most babaric, stupid and laziest way of declaring to the world that we are strict on drugs.
If Yong is executed, we have to get rid of this govt. Its not a choice anymore. I not only vow never to vote PAP this election, I will spread the word tirelessly for change.
Adolescents are more impulsive and more tends to be drawn to the rewards than the risks compared to adults. Recent studies show that the area in the brain responsible for decision-making and thinking improves the most over the course of adolescence to adulthood. Throw out death penalty for adolescents altogether.
Not saying they should be let free of their crime, but why give a punishment so harsh? Give them a chance to change, a chance at life.
162) lobo76
and it is great to know that you are a Mr. Thanks for telling…
“fact is, it’s not the death of the addict that’s the problem. it’s the crimes that will result also (what addicts will do for their next dose), plus the suffering of the people around the addict.”
Lobo, there we go again… drug addict is not the only problem that cause suffering…and once again, will what you first supported, catching the small flies may help to minimize the problem, but does it solve the issue? speaking of having one tracked thinking, i will return it to you. but hell…actually, all we can do is debate, but the truth is, evil exist as long as mankind exist…if you kill the runners, there will still be other ways to get assess to drugs for the well off…and yes, there you go again, talking about suffering around addicts….so do you think that people don’t suffer when their love ones suffer from effect of smoking? in fact, looking at the scale and the rate it is going, more people will suffer as such.
“iIf it that profitable, then by reducing the risk, are you in fact encouraging more to do it? maybe you need to use your gray matter too… ”
Mr Lobo, you read my sentence wrong perhaps? or the little gray cell was not activated? or maybe i phrase my idea wrong….however, the question that comes to mind is, when you put such a “huge” entry barrier, why are people still able to purchase drugs? it somehow seem that this “execute traffickers” is not as effective as it is drastic…
“ask yourself, since you don’t know the cost, how you know it is negligible compared to overall cost?”
yes, i agree I don’t…but use a little gray cell again Lobo, why is it that drug lords are so rich? because they sell alot of it? or ripping high profit from it? of course, this is just speculation….Lobo, if you have a great criminal mind…in fact actually a business mind will do…but if you have such a mind, won’t you want to earn as high a margin as possible?
“Sounds like you are describing yourself. lol”
Lobo, Mr Lobo…with regards to this sentence, I am not only describing you and myself….but everyone….since you also did that, i did that, tan did that…who didn’t do it?
and Mr Lobo….an idealist calling another idealist? mmm…..human nature…i guess…
And to end it off…Lobo, I have nothing against death sentence, in fact i support it for murderer, war criminal etc as it is a good deterence….without that, without justice, what will stop me from murdering someone just because we disagree right? in those case, the life for life ruling is true…but executing this traffickers seems a little to extreme…
however, letting them live to suffer will be penance….
We not only have a greedy and ruthless Garmen. Now, we know it is worst. It is cruel, heartless, and merciless. Even to the highest office in our land.
The heartless and merciless have simply no qualms to import outrageous number of foreigners to replace us and rob us of our jobs.
The heartless and merciless have simply no qualms to jack up the HDB prices and deprive us of a proper roof over our heads.
The heartless and merciless have simply no qualms to do business with the drug lords to benefit from their dirty bloody money and allow these drug lords to roam freely in our country without bothering even to arrest them.
The heartless and merciless have simply no qualms to allow state-sponsored murders to be carried out upon the lives of young men who fell into the trap of poverty to do the callings of those very drug lords who are allowed to roam freely in our country.
The heartless and merciless simply do not have any mercy nor an iota of compassion to those who seek for their mercy and compassion.
This type of greedy, ruthless, compassion-less and merciless ‘leaders’ have no place in our society.
Vote for Change!!
Vote out the cruel, ruthless, merciless and heartless!
Vote for Change!
Vote out the Father and Son Tyrants!
Vote for Change!
Down with the PAPy Gahmen!
My friend’s friend asked me to adopt a dog. If I reject, the dog would be put to sleep. This put the burden on me as my decision would determine the fate of that dog.
The dog is now alive.
I am not sure whether the president could enjoy his holiday in Spain, knowing that his decision is ending the life of a young man.
167) Yamamoto on December 1st, 2009 11.02 pm
… drug addict is not the only problem that cause suffering…so do you think that people don’t suffer when their love ones suffer from effect of smoking?
yet another attempt to conflate the issue?
…if it is not so profitable, why will they do it and make people take such risk?
And I submit that you do not know where the profits come from. How much more profitable is it to smuggle to a country that has less risk and open borders? Time to use your gray cell. if you liked to compare cigs with drugs, I like to compare Singapore with other countries. =)
however, the question that comes to mind is, when you put such a “huge” entry barrier, why are people still able to purchase drugs?
what comes to mind when people read the same thing is subjective. Anyway, let me answer your question and then pose to you another.
Ans: because no barrier is absolute against the ingenuity of the human mind. ‘huge’ barriers only increase the difficulty and thus only allowing the best of the best to get through… a smaller percentage than if any tom, dick and harry can easily overcome the barrier.
Qns to you: if such a high barrier results in some drug getting thru. Does it not mean a lower barrier would mean more drugs going thru?
To Andrew Chuah:
Do you have a kid?
When your kid turns 19 years old and somehow a drug dealer manages to put more than 15g of heroin into his luggage, he will be sentenced to death too.
He might no be an accomplice or mule as in this case though.
This is the current situation. The Dealth Penalty does not care if you are really evil or not. As long as Police see drug, you are dead!
ANYONE organising to a public show of sympathy & outrage at the coming BLACK FRIDAY? Count me in!
Just consider some key issues of the flaws of judgement and the law:
In WP’s Sylvia Lim’s “There is more to the death penalty”, she asks why shouldn’t background circumstances, be considered instead on using default-sentencing. Afterall, taking a human life is indeed irreversible, with no regrets.
What if just 1 person, convicted and hanged but who is really, truly naive of the law? What if the convicted had been planted as a drug-mule decoy for bigger loots?
No one, including the court should be so self-righteous and autocratic about killing without exhausting the merits of rehabilitation.
But default killing (only using the upper limits drugs carried as yardstick), is a lazy and inhumane way to manage justice.
Not all convicted can claim innocence, of course.
However, every criminal deserves rehabilitation, even if it’s a life sentence. Humanity is about forgiveness.
Down with capital punishment.
170) lobo76
“And I submit that you do not know where the profits come from. How much more profitable is it to smuggle to a country that has less risk and open borders? Time to use your gray cell. if you liked to compare cigs with drugs, I like to compare Singapore with other countries. =)”
and Once again Lobo, i will suggest you to use the little grey cell again? with open borders and less risk? that will also mean lesser margin due to availability of supply…since you first talk about ROI, don’t tell me you don’t even know the basis of S/D curve?
As for an answer, Mr Lobo, true, there is no deny, that a lower barrier will allow the drugs to get through easily compared to something as drastic as hanging from the wrong end of a noose….however, both ways, we are still allowing supplies to go through….which is why your-so-called idealist will suggest cutting it off at the head, because supply will still trickle in when then is a huge supplier with power standing behind….as that’s the only way to cease supplies…although i must say that is NATO, easier said then done…Mr Lobo, did you fix a leaking tap before? it will still leak, unless you turn off the main right?
“thus only allowing the best of the best to get through… a smaller percentage than if any tom, dick and harry can easily overcome the barrier.”
Ahh…and here we go again…..the elites vs the small flies….just because only a few elites can get through, that means it is a smaller percentage then TD&C? Woa….I remember Mr Lobo asking this, so here goes….how do you know it is a smaller percentage? you don’t right? It can also be the other way…TD&C carrying a small amount and Mr E carries a huge amount…will that still be a small percentage? ah…become you shot it back at me…yes, i don’t know too…but neither do you
“yet another attempt to conflate the issue?”
I will like to return the same phrase to you: “what comes to mind when people read the same thing is subjective.” I think that will be in short , differing perception? Just like one man’s meat is another man’s poison…I am not conflating the issue, but you are doing the finger pointing at me saying that i am doing so…but wait, at lease three of your fingers are pointing back at you… guess that’s human nature….finger pointing is human’s no.1 past time.
victory reformasi…viva ale liberate…
finally the governmment is LISTENIN… a stay of executions..right?
the right to appeal a reappeal…
TOC well done…leehsienloong is indeed readin the TOC or leekuanyew himself…
Great to see that he’s gotten a stay and the right to appeal.
Please, let the Courts show some mercy and let this boy have another chance at life.
Do prove me wrong by showing that we do have a heart.
people have been arguing over this for years without consensus and it’s clear we won’t reach consensus here either.
the problem, I think is that the issue is not black and white. Though many people in this thread have taken positions on one extreme or the other, I don’t think that is the case.
It is impossible to argue that the death penalty is flawless and should be kept. It’s many flaws are clear to see.
But those arguing against don’t seem to acknowledge that it also does have benefits.
It is plain to see that Singapore (with a death penalty) has a far smaller drug problem and hence crime problem than a country like Australia (without a death penalty).
The question is whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
But then, erring on the side of ruthlessness has always been Singapore’s style. We have low crime because we have set up such great disincentives against it. Heck, illegally parking in a handicap spot is worth a $400 fine already.
In this particular case, I do not know all the facts (everything is hearsay) so I shan’t pass judgement.
But I will say to the person who suggested sending him back to Malaysia: The laws are the same, he would’ve been hanged there too.
I don’t know why we are happy about this latest development…the court was just following legal and procedural guidelines in responding to an application for a stay of execution…he will still be hang if Ravi cannot provide any convincing arguments to support the application or an reconveyance of the case, of which the possibilities is almost zero…sigh!!
Saiber @176 : “In this particular case, I do not know all the facts (everything is hearsay) so I shan’t pass judgement.”
The issue here is not about whether the facts are right. The bone of contention is death penalty for anyone found in POSSESSION of more than 15 gms of drugs. So what if it has been planted, the law says. As long as you POSSESS it, whether you are a saint or not, you are a smugler and you’re dead. According to this law, there is nothing to prove. It is as long as you POSSESS more than 15gms drugs. What facts do you need to know?
I think this stupid law alone scares away many tourists.
It is no use turning to the puppet President. I may phone the Queen to let her know that one of her Commonwealth countries is hanging a 19 yr old for possession of drugs. Commonwealth members must adhere to good governance and eradication of poverty. SG’s bad governance is eradicating the poor by executing them. Democracy? Don’t even go there!
Such is evidence of Lee’s era of predominance. The effect of overbearing paternalism and control over everything in the life of a Singaporean. No doubt we owe the success of Singapore today to him. Yet his ideas and notions are proven to be expired in this modern era. The impact of global world has spawned itself onto the teenagers and the same old code of laws cannot apply. It requires flexibility. Man is fallible and was born of sin. I daringly ask MM Lee if he is infallible. I can say it would be real silly if the answer is yes. The code of forgiveness should be applied on a case to case basis and not capping death on a mere teenager, who has been misled. What we should be doing is displaying truth and showing the way so he may have a new life. The very concept of forgiving and forgetting as with impact of religion
in merging with a practical sense in today’s society.It is time to wake up,all of u fools! It is Lee-no-more!
173) Yamamoto on December 2nd, 2009 2.57 pm
and Once again Lobo, i will suggest you to use the little grey cell again? with open borders and less risk? that will also mean lesser margin due to availability of supply…since you first talk about ROI, don’t tell me you don’t even know the basis of S/D curve?
and you conveniently ignore that an addict has a rather inflexible demand curve….
Mr Lobo, did you fix a leaking tap before? it will still leak, unless you turn off the main right?
To complete your analogy (as it doesn’t describe the whole situation), you have no idea where the mains are or that it is locked by PUB who ignores all your calls (i.e you have no jurisdiction to catch the druglords). So what can you do?
.just because only a few elites can get through, that means it is a smaller percentage then TD&C? …TD&C carrying a small amount and Mr E carries a huge amount
my assumption was that all things being equal. i.e TD&H (what name did you change Harry to?) carries as much as E.
but you are doing the finger pointing at me saying that i am doing so…but wait, at lease three of your fingers are pointing back at you… guess that’s human nature….finger pointing is human’s no.1 past time.
Well, technically, since I was responding to a post, hence the 3 fingers were pointing back at someone else first. To be sure, I like to ‘point’ with 2 fingers, so I figure I should be in the positive by at least 1 finger. hahaha
It is encouraging that Justice Woo exercised judicial discretion in allowing Yong a final chance as what we are dealing here is LIFE. Another question that cause concern: why his accomplice is jailed 22 years and not facing the same destiny?
Guest Andrew Chuah needs to examine his heart and head while he should also give deep reflection if he were to be Yong and what he hopes for then?
Under the constitution, no one should be deprive of his life and limb.
Wish Yong and his counsel Mr Ravi luck during the appeal before the 3 judges.
Mr. Ravi did a great job. Many at kopitiams were salutating and complimenting him a while ago. It’s like a goal in an international soccer championship!
God is always great.
Hi Mr Lobo,
Firstly, if both way doesn’t help….hey, haven’t you hear of handyman? call one and ask them to fix it up for you right? geez….do you want their online site?
“my assumption was that all things being equal. i.e TD&H (what name did you change Harry to?) carries as much as E. ”
Ah…as Usual, that’s an assumption….likewise, i assume to…and sorry, i think i change Harry to c..k….lol….but really..all this assumption from us…it can change either way…but of course, i can also assume that Elites who are better carries more..isn’t that the case? I mean ministers are suppose to be cream of the crop, so they earn more right?
Ohhh…..right……the finger pointing….For your info, try this, point any 1 finger, and see how many points back at you, usually three, since the thumb is pointing somewhere else….and then switch to two fingers, you have 2 pointing back at you, thumb pointing somewhere else again, and hey, 2 fingers pointing back at you, 2 out…so how did you get the positive of at least 1 finger…..
Ahhh…hahaha…. this was a stupid discussing about the min. amount of finger u have to point, so that it doesn’t point back at you discussion during a nice outfield in a cosy ulu area….
It is good that such gangster get executed.
If our stupid, leftwing opposition were in power they would be lenient with such human garbage and release them after a few years.
Singapore is safe because of the death penalty for drug traffickers – and thanks to the PAP.
Hang Yong Vui Kong – and stop the opposition!
Yong Vui Kong is a drug trafficker, and drug traffickers are killers. Killing drug traffickers is an act of liberation.
If Yong gets killed mankind gets liberated of a murderer.
Luckily we have the PAP and its tough-on-crime Minister Wong Kan Seng who take care of the people and do not get intimidated by western dumbasses, their dull lackeys in Singapore and the crookish opposition.
PAP is good.
Death penalty is necessary.
Yong Vui Kong is a killer, scum, dangerous, useless and a nuisance.
Why oppose the death penalty? If you wants drugs for sale on the street then you oppose the death penalty. If you want to make money yourself as a drug peddler then you oppose the death penalty.
But law abiding, hard-working, patriotic and tax-paying citizens SUPPORT THE DEATH PENALTY! Let s not take risk or waste any money by keeping mass killers like Yong alive. Better we hang him today than tomorrow.
To 185) Johnny & 186) Mui K.L.
Sorry to break the news, the High Court has put off the death sentence. So by your logic, PAP is bad, really bad.
those who oppose the death penalty are invited to move together with their children next to the home of drug traffickers, rapists, murderers and others who got spared from the gallows in countries where there is no death penalty. how about the Paris suburb or the shantytowns or rio or johannesburg…..
if we have no death penalty singapore will become mess. there is no reason to feed and keep alive hardcore criminals. except, maybe, for singapore s totally dumb opposition as they may hope to get votes from such scum.
So sad. Another yound live being terminated. The main culprit is still around and waiting for the next innocent guy to get fished.
Wished he is could be spare the death sentence. Let pray to God for the best and May God bless him in his after life……..
I hate people confuse the whole matter. Crime is crime, it has nothing to politician party. Why wants to get PAP involved?
Every country has their own laws. As a Singaporean, I support death pealty for drug trafficker. Sorry, no 2nd chance. This is to protect us and ensure we have safety enviroment to live.
Are people who support the death penalty devoid of intelligence & morals or bribed by the standing authorities? Seriously, it’s incredible in this day & age that people still find murder “righteous”.
Wait a minute… There are too many pro-death-penalty folks here to be real…. Oh… I get it. You guys are being sarcastic. Phew. It’s nice to know that Singaporeans have a sense of sarcasm. You know, you really almost got me there with your pro-death penalty talk. Wait, you’re not really being serious… Are you?
Is drug addiction so bad? People are addicted to all sorts of things nowadays. Porn, cigarrettes, alcohol. Why is only drug illegal? People who take drugs eventually succumb to many problems – true. They may become hardcore criminals, snatch thief to fuel their habits. All true.
But drug is just one of the many vices possible in men. To stop drug use, start by educating youngsters. Ultimately it is them who choose which path to take – the path to destruction or success in life.
Life is precious. God put us here to help each other and treat each other with dignity. At 19 years old, Yong is a first time offender ( in drugs). He should at least have the chance to reflect on his mistakes in jail instead of being killed.
Some people write here that a guy of 19 years need a second chance. If you start to give these young men a second chance… the drug lords will send only 19 years drug traffickers to Singapore. They will tell to these 19 years traffickers that they don’t have to worry…. you get a second chance…
With hanging up this criminal, Singapore shows a very clear signal to any 19 year old wannabee trafficker that they could be hang too when caught…. drug lords have now harder time to find people to do their shit jobs…
> PUGDRAGON – trying to be sarcastic? Most Singaporeans are pro-death-penalty… simply because they don’t want that their country will be unsafe as most other SE-Asian countries with higher drugs problems… we all want that our kids can be safe on the streets, that can be in Singapore and we like to keep it onthat way…
Anyone who enters Singapore KNOWS that you get the death penalty! You are warned with a few signs and in RED on the immigration card. If you decide at the border as drugs trafficker still to smuggle the shit inside Singapore… then is that your OWN DECISION AND RISK… and you have to life with the consequences.
I am original from the EU and we don’t have the death penalty. It is common knowledge that the majority of the European people are in favour of the death penalty. The reality is that most big cities in Europe have bad suburbs what is controlled by immigrants and drug lords. Cities such as Frankfurt, Paris, Rotterdam, London and Brussels. Drug traffickers and lords shooting on each other in daylight to get control of each other areas. That is the hard reality. Since the borders are open between the EU countries, crime rate has raised with 800%. The most drug lords and traffickers are from Servia, Bulgaria, Romania and Albania… immigrants from corrupt countries who don’t respect the law!!!!
These people are get now arrested, one year in the jail and then on the plane back deported to their own countries. Three days later they are back and the game start over again… My country has a weekly scheduled flight to Bulgaria to put criminals out of the country…. each week 150 people!!!!!!!!…..
Give me then the Singaporean system… LOVE IT!!!!
I personally dont think he should be hung, but unfortunately he is caught on the other side of the law. Alhough I do understand it is his human right to live on, what about those people who succumbered to drug because of these drug trackfickers? Dont they have a right to live too? As on debate that it is his right to live, I guess human rights only justify correct actions but not the wrong ones. It does not really make sense if your right will actually jeopardies others rights.
I am sadden by the fact someone has to be put to death and it will cause misery to his family, friends and others. However, misery is felt also for the family and friends of drug addicts too. Therefore, for a greater cause, I guess the government is having a tough stance on the law of mandatory death for drug trackficking.
He does have to take responsiblity for his action but seriously, death is a bit too much, perhaps life sentence? Again, i dont think it is justify to argue that in order to protect others rights, therefore, one’s right to live on has to be taken away.
What about an alternative sentence? A less cruel punishment for both him and his family, especially his parents – a 10-year or 20-year or 30-year or even Life Sentence: He can work in Jail and his family get to see him. Which is much better than a death sentence. Putting a young life or any life to death is no better than a drug lord. Give people a chance to live! Goodness!
By the way, it is not fair. He was young, immature and naive.
I strongly feel that it is inhumane to take away someone life by force especially when he wants to live. The mandatory death penalty is outdated and should be reviewed.
As of today, we could still see and read from the news that prosecutor and judges do made mistake.
Recently my wife was wrongly arrested by the law by mistake and they tried to cover their mistake instead of trying to learn and correct the mistake.
We are human and human do make mistake. Nobody is perfect.
Please give him a second chance if he wish to live, Mr. President. You are his only hope………
I don’t think clemency will be granted, and I don’t think the law either on drugs or capital punishment will change soon. The authorities do not care that offenders may be young, poor and exploited by drug kingpins. They do care that Singapore should not be seen as a weak link in a region where drug laws are harsh, because if this happened, they fear the country would become a centre for drug transit. So they must be tougher and more ruthless than the drug lords. I would appeal to President Nathan to commute the sentence, if only because it would be good for us to see there is a moral difference between the authorities and crimelords.
Singapore has one of the highest rate of government sanctioned death penalties and this has not deterred
drug smuggling activities or drug abuse. I am against capital punishment because no human being should
have the rights to take the life of other, be it legal or not. Yong is guilty for being an accomplice
to selling drugs. How about the Singapore government being an accomplice on selling weapons to the
Burmese junta who used it to facilitate their supply of drugs to the world?? Shouldn’t the
Singapore government be held accountable too??
Can you provide internet-available links to demonstrate the link between Spore govt and weapon sales to Burmese Junta?
I’ll like to see it..
@fievel – For one:
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=1173
While I think it is good or even necessary for Spore to produce arms, it should be careful who it supplies to. I think supplying to countries who need them for self-defence is OK…… but does Myanmar face an external threat?
“I am directed to refer to the petition for clemency of Yong Vui Kong and to inform you that the President, after due consideration of the petition and on advice of the Cabinet, has decided that the sentence of death should stand.”
What due consideration was the PPS or the President referring to?
Since the President is strictly guided by the advice of the Cabinet on such matters, as we know to be the case, just simply say: “the death sentence should stand, as the Cabinet has decided.”
Why beat around the bush?
I support executing this kid. He knew what he was doing was wrong. I support the drug war and am a big believer in hanging young drug offenders. Lucky man who gets to take that kid’s life. He deserves it.