Choo Zheng Xi / Kuala Lumpur
Yong Vui Kong’s lawyer met with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato Sri Anifa Aman and a supporting team of international lawyers, securing a promise by the Malaysian government to directly appeal with “all urgency” to the Singapore government for clemency on behalf of Yong.
During the half hour meeting with Mr M Ravi, Dato Sri Anifa highlighted the Malaysian government’s concern over the case: “I heard about this and came especially to Parliament to meet you and hear about the issue.”
In the meeting, Dato Sri Anifa also expressed his personal desire to see the clemency plea succeed: “All things aside, if I save one life it will give me great satisfaction. After all, I am a Sabahan too”, he said, referring to the Malaysian state where Yong comes from.
Mr Ravi was given direct access to Malaysia’s Director-General, International Affairs Department, who promised to discuss possible Malaysian action at the International Court of Justice to prevent the execution.
Yong’s appeal against his conviction was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on May 14th this year and his case would ordinarily proceed to the clemency stage.
However, Mr Ravi is expected to file a case for judicial review of that judgment next week, on the basis that comments made by the Singapore Minister for Law, Mr K Shanmugam, on May 9th have prejudged the clemency process and violated Yong’s constitutional right to clemency and due process.
Mr Shanmugam is reported in the Singapore media as having said: “But if we say we let you go what’s the signal we’re sending?”
When these facts were being explained to the meeting by Mr Ravi, Malaysia’s Director-General of International Affairs was visibly startled.
Malaysian interest building
Mr Ravi also managed to speak to key politicians from both the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat to seek their support for the clemency appeal.
From BN, these included Law Minister, Nazri Aziz, and UMNO Youth head, Khairy Jamaluddin. On the Pakatan side, Mr Ravi met with de facto leader of the opposition Mr Anwar Ibrahim, senior members of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), Mr Lim Kit Siang and Mr Lim Guan Eng, and PAS MP for Shah Alam, Mr Khaled Samad.
The meetings were coordinated through senior member of the PKR and MP for Batu Mr Tian Chua and Yong’s Malaysian lawyer, Ms Ngeow Chow Ying .
“I really appreciate that the Malaysian Foreign Minister and the Malaysian government have taken this matter seriously and have decided to intervene urgently,” Mr Ravi told The Online Citizen.
“I’m gratified by this development, how important it is for the rule of law, for the development of humane society, that a proportionate response be made with regards to this matter,” he added.
Yong’s case was little reported in the Malaysian media as late as a week back, gaining traction mainly on online press. However, after the Foreign Minister’s statements yesterday almost every media outlet carried the news. Around 15 media outlets were counted in the post-meeting press conference.
Presidential clemencies in Singapore are rare but not unheard of. In the history of Singapore, six presidential clemencies have been granted.
Malaysia’s intercession on behalf of its citizens has been successful before: in 2008, China commuted the death sentence of Malaysian citizen Umi Azlim who was convicted of trafficking 2.9kg of heroin.
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For more pictures, visit TOC’s Facebook page here.
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Read also:
Malaysia seeks Singapore pardon for trafficker – AFP.
Malaysia to assist in Yong’s appeal – Malaysiakini.
Death row case: Malaysian government steps in – Malaysian Insider.
Govt to appeal to S’pore for clemency in Yong’s sentence – The Star Online.
Ministry to seek clemency for death row man in S’pore – The Star Online.
Local man in Singapore death row gets govt support – Free Malaysia Today.
Here’s a video by Malaysiakini of the press conference held in KL this afternoon:
TOC’s Anti-Mandatory Death Penalty video:
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shame on singapore MSM,no reports on this issue.
hope that ravi will not be tekan by ministry of law when he gets back to singapore
Eventhought i know its a bit of a wanyang from the malaysia FM at least he is doing something..and least he never say what happen its really bad. lets move on.
“Yong’s case was little reported in the Malaysian media as late as a week back, gaining traction mainly on online press. However, after the Foreign Minister’s statements yesterday almost every media outlet carried the news. Around 15 media outlets were counted in the post-meeting press conference.”
Does this mean that Yong’s mother would now know the truth that her son was already sentenced to death?
Gosh :(
There is nothing reported in our local media. Straits Times, Today, cna, etc all silent.
David Marshall once called our media and journalists “poor prostitutes” and “running dogs of the PAP’.
Now we know why.
DEATH sentence is the best treatment for drug traffickers..
They deserve it.
No doubt.
I can’t imagine if the PAP govt. and court speed up and hang him within a week!
What would happen then?
Yea, the PAP judge then would say, you can still appeal! Could this happen?
Hope not.
@Old Guy
Death sentence is near for an old guy.
Our minister has prejudged the outcome. This is against the rule of law.
It is nice to know that Malaysian gomen is willing to help its own citizen and not putting up a wayang kulit show.
Well, now let’s hear what the Malaysian Home Affairs and Law Minister has to say about this. Malaysia do know that it has now open the door for other foreign nations to come and demand, from the Malaysian Government, for amnesty to be given for their own convicts on death row. Well, it’s time for the Malaysian Government to show amnesty to all your death penalties convicts in your own jail?
silly Brendan… you want to die for the drug trafficker in his place??
Brendan 6 July 2010
@Old Guy
Death sentence is near for an old guy.
tencents
Malaysian government has intervened in the past in cases where its citizens were sentenced to death in foreign countries. One such case was involving drugs in China.
Just a quick idea, utilises the Youth Olympic as a mouth piece to support the clemency of the young malaysian (Yong). This will be a good gesture for the Singapore Government and gives a sense of hope for young people!
Although I think what they are doing is commendable, they should also look in the mirror. Malaysian citizens are being killed by the very people who are suppose to protect them. Even their PM has been accused on his role in the death of a foreigner in Malaysia using explosives. The death sentence was meted out to bodyguards assigned to his family. To this day, the question remains on whose instructions was she killed, as the “killers” had no motive. Moreover, the records of her entry into Malaysia had been erased. The FM of Malaysia should look at his country’s poor reputation as perceived by the global community.
MALAYSIA BOLEH, SINGAPORE pariah government !!
the comments above are so typical singaporean cheena… the whole issue is about singapore’s death penalty against this pitiful though guilty drug trafficker…
instead the commentors above focus on how bad malaysia is… haa… Never Change!
Young 6 July 2010
Just a quick idea, utilises the Youth Olympic as a mouth piece to support the clemency of the young malaysian (Yong). This will be a good gesture for the Singapore Government and gives a sense of hope for young people!
Just a quick thought, encourages doping for YOG athletes.
Dato Sri Anifa Aman’s comments gives comfort to the human race. It is the reason why the human race is above all other creatures. It sums up why each human is endowed with the capacity to be compassionate towards reason and not to behave in barbaric manner like those who continue to choose to be barbaric in order to protect themselves and their interests.
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When we understand why each of us has a place on earth only then will we know how to utter words like the Malaysian FM, only then can we have the drive and desire of Ravi to stand up for our fellow human being in trouble.
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Some may see Vui as a drug pusher, a criminal judged by the law of Man but there is no denying that his heartbeat is just like any one else, that he makes decisions like any one else, some good, some bad. It is the bad decision he had made that has landed him in trouble, in trouble only because Man says what he did is a crime.
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See beyond this and one will see the human being that is Vui, who is worth saving. This can only benefit mankind, intangibly and spiritually.
This is a 180 degree turn around from the UMNO led Malaysian Government, when previously the Law Minister Nazri had said he knew nothing about the existence of the case, and then later declined to meet with Lawyer Ravi despite public announcement of an appointment made.
It is pathetic wayang display by the UMNO led government which had to get involve to score political points ONLY AFTER the PKR Member of Parliament gave personal attention to the matter.
Good political play by Lawyer Ravi to get attention for his client.
This is the kind of Singaporean spirit in ‘never say die’ when meeting stoopity of the first order.
Dear All
With regards to Ravi, Malaysia and the ICJ, a quick look at the cases bought before the ICJ . will clearly state that he is grasping at every straw. Simply put, there is no legal precedent.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_International_Court_of_Justice_cases
Locke
Singapore Ministers, DPPs, judge et al only bully weaklings. If Yong is son of a prominent elite, they will let him off with the excuse of 14.99 kg pure stuff. Or they will argue that a jail sentence is enough.
All those ordinary Sporeans screaming for Yong’s execution are duped big time by this lot. These days, they don’t really hang people to prevent drug addiction, they do it to satisfy the blood thirsty lot and to show their work done to deserve the pay, if they can get away with it.
Well done, Ravi. I am sure you fully know the consequences of your future in SG and I am sure you are prepared or you would never taken this up. Great achievements require great sacrifices.
gemami 6 July 2010
barbaric manner like those who continue to choose to be barbaric in order to protect themselves and their interests.
if following Law one feels to be just, is barbaric and purely for self interest, then …. all judges, policeman etc are all barbarians?
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because Man says what he did is a crime.
You might not have noticed, but Man says a LOT of things (if not everything). From the existence of Gods to how Science works or how you should eat a certain brand of cookie. Even the mores that some use to differentiate barbarity and civility…. so not sure what you trying to pull here when you say Man defined crime. Whilst true, you seem to want to give it very little credence.
To me, whether something has ‘weight’ is dependent more things than simply who says it.. .especially when the ‘who’ you referred to basically said everything.
singaporeanz 6 July 2010
the comments above are so typical singaporean cheena… the whole issue is about singapore’s death penalty against this pitiful though guilty drug trafficker…
instead the commentors above focus on how bad malaysia is… haa… Never Change!
Singaporeanz, so you are not a typical singaporean cheena? You are racist? So pray tell what comments have you made related to the OP? Nothing to say?
I said his actions were commendable. I am also pointing out his country’s laws which has been abuse much worse and the numbers of lives loss due to rampant crimes committed by the very people supposed to uphold law and order. how many innocent Singaporeans were robbed, raped and killed in Malaysia? How many cases of Malaysian citizens taken into custody or imprisoned that died under the watch of the authorities? Apart from this case when his Ministry could case less about it until the opposition brought it up to the attention of the public, I much prefer to see him fighting for all Malaysians, not only this particular one. Isn’t this hypocrisy?
Hope Malaysia does not play politics with Vui’s life.
What Shanmugam said is not acceptable, he should have known better.
Good job Ravi. I am very proud of you.
@Cannon
Although I think what they are doing is commendable, they should also look in the mirror. “Malaysian citizens are being killed by the very people who are suppose to protect them.”
Aren’t our citizens being harmed by the people who are supposed to protect them. Talk about reducing drug trafficking, when our million $s introduce Intergrated Resort. Do more harm to society?
Cannon
What is the point that you are trying to make in relation to Yong’s case? Are you saying they might just be talking only and not doing anything. I think attention & words from them are better than nothing so far.
@ Young
Well, to add on to your idea, since PM Lee has “encourage” the people to make the YOG participants feel welcome, why don’t we make a banner and welcome them to the “Disneyland with the death penalty”
and to those who criticize malaysia’s FM. Hey, look at local context…you may say that he wayang to win support…but what about our own FM? doesn’t wayang, but play tai chi…what is worse?
Yamamoto
Good one. To add “Behave or you will be caned” too.
@ Cannon
“Apart from this case when his Ministry could case less about it until the opposition brought it up to the attention of the public,”
At least in Malaysia there is opposition but in Singapore there is not only no opposition but also no media to report on Ravi’s meeting with Malaysian FM.
george 6 July 2010
“At least in Malaysia there is opposition but in Singapore there is not only no opposition but also no media to report on Ravi’s meeting with Malaysian FM.”
The Singapore MSM we all know is the mouthpiece of the Singapore Government, so are several MSMs in Malaysia. I see little hope for Singapore unless more voices will be lend towards the oppositions’ cause.
My particular slant on this was more towards the political mileage gained by politicians in the name of “justice”, where in his own country “justice” hardly exists. A United Nations group reported they received information that from 2003-07 more than 1,530 people died in Malaysian prisons, rehabilitation centers and immigration detention centers. In other words one person every day, and here the FM is seeking to save one lost sheep whilst the rest of the sheep in his care is being looked after by a pack of wolves.
I am all for the removal of caning and the death penalty. It is mostly small fries desperate enough to earn some money that are caught whilst the drugslords are free to produce more drugs. The War on Drugs has been a total failure since inception and trillions of dollars spent by various countries has failed to stop smuggling. The harder it is to obtain drugs will mean higher street values which in turn will encourage more poor people to take desperate measures. It is a vicious cycle and the nations of the world should find a better way to tackle the problem. Meanwhile the drug lords are laughing all the way to the bank.
I think the Australian government pleaded for clemency for Van Tuong Nguyen back then eh? The singapore gov didn’t budge. I’m afraid for Vui Kong’s case… aitsu wa mo shinde iru. But seriously, can we just leave the whole death penalty crap system to ancient times where human rights are non-existant? There is no need to murder anymore people, gov of sg!
Lobo76,
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You have a knack for distorting another’s opinion. Time and time again you have shown to ‘half-read’ comments so as to lend weight to your own argument.
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The key words you failed to consider when replying to my comments were: “… each human is endowed with the capacity to be compassionate towards reason… (therefore)…blah, blah, blah…”
gemami 7 July 2010
You have a knack for distorting another’s opinion.
The fact that it was easy to ‘misunderstand’ speaks volumes, doesn’t it?
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The key words you failed to consider when replying to my comments were: “… each human is endowed with the capacity to be compassionate towards reason… (therefore)…blah, blah, blah…”
Please elaborate?
Your sentence structure suggests them (compassion and barbarity) to be mutually exclusive, but I do not believe that to be the case. So, I didn’t ‘half-read’ your comments, but I did half-disagreed.
Wan Lau , See! See! See! I want U see!
What’s the “Rubbish” leave by British to SG and MY. Pls Call them out to bring back the “Rubbish” and recycle it and their country. We don’t know how to clear the “Rubbish” !!!
The govt will take the law by law attitude unless it wanted to save his life earlier.
What can be a justification for the govt to pardon him when the judge has sentenced him to death?
Who passes the law? The judge or the Govt?
Si Bei Jia Lat:
What the heck are you on about?
at least,this chap-God knows if he is guilty of peddling or forced to do so?-has his govt to fight for his dear life.
i am sure,quite sure,his life woul be spared.Our govt kowtows to outsiders and only bully singaporeans.
has anyone thought of how a very own son of this land was in similar dire straits?
who can fight for him if the miws insist on his death sentence?
even our PRESIDENT would not want to help,would he?
The lawyer M Ravi should run for election. He should replace that Sham who calls himself Minister for Law. He’s got my vote, if I ever get to vote. His passion and determination is admirable, more outstanding is the fact that he is doing this pro bono.
test test. not sure why it took so long to moderate. so re-posting.
gemami 7 July 2010
The key words you failed to consider when replying to my comments were: “… each human is endowed with the capacity to be compassionate towards reason… (therefore)…blah, blah, blah…”
Please elaborate?
Your sentence structure suggests them (compassion and barbarity) to be mutually exclusive, but I do not believe that to be the case. So, I didn’t ‘half-read’ your comments, but I did half-disagreed.
lobo76,
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It will be hard for me to explain the deeper meaning to you, knowing fully well your stand on the other realms of life other than that of the physical one.
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To understand compassion, you will need to know where it comes from. To know where it comes from, there has to be some acceptance in the existence of the spiritual sphere, of a higher being other than the human being. This, as you have already shown yourself to be, is something beyond your comprehension, for you have continually exhibited a disdain for all things spiritual and of God.
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That is why I say you distorted my opinion by quoting only the second part of the sentence and leaving out the first which referred to ‘compassion’ as the key consideration toward a barbaric rule which is not flexible and attuned to the circumstances that warrants such flexibility.
gemami,
I did not distort your opinion in the sense that I agree that humans have capacity for compassion, even if we disagree on its ‘source’. I merely disagreed with it.
What I think is that you failed to recognize that barbarity is subjective. One can have compassion (again disregarding its source) and still support actions that might be ‘barbaric’ (to others).
How can one claim to have ‘compassion’ when one fails, or rigidly refuses, to listen to mitigating circumstances and factors, prefering to hold fast to the ‘barbaric’ nature of man?
gemami 8 July 2010
How can one claim to have ‘compassion’ when one fails, or rigidly refuses, to listen to mitigating circumstances and factors, prefering to hold fast to the ‘barbaric’ nature of man?
This is an easy question. The answer is when they do not perceive the action to be barbaric. I reiterate that ‘barbaric’ is subjective.
There is also an inherent assumption in your post: that people (who disagreed with you) have refused to listen to ‘mitigating’ circumstances/factors. What if people have indeed listened, thought and then rejected them?
lobo76 8 July 2010
“… barbarity is subjective. One can have compassion (again disregarding its source) and still support actions that might be ‘barbaric’ (to others).”
The Oxford dictionary defines barbarity as savage cruelty.
Compassion means feeling of pity and sympathy for someone and a desire to help them.
I fail to see how one can have compassion and yet support savage cruelty.
Baby Boomer,
The Oxford dictionary defines barbarity as savage cruelty.
Which part of the bracketed ‘to others’ did you fail to understand? Meaning even if you definition of barbarity is correct, people may not see it as such. e.g A rich person may feel it to be a barbaric act if you ask him to eat in a foodcourt.
The first and foremost is the law is bad or wrong.That guy wanted money,so he did it.Who doesn’t like money?Hence, why should the crime get death penalty?
If one kills or murder someone,he gets hanged.I thinks it is fair enough.But drug trafficking doesn’t deserve the heaviest punishment.
GOVERNMENT,AMEND THE LAW!
“What if people have indeed listened, thought and then rejected them?”: Lobo 76.
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Then it supports ‘barbarism’ does it not? What is life then if it can be taken away by someone else with the authority to do so?
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That’s why I state so clearly that it will be hard for me to make you understand my point – simply because you see liffe as the ‘here and now’ and doing most things to cater to the need of the physical body with no consideration of that which goes beyond the physical realm.
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Thanks for lending support and giving proof to what I have correctly perceived about you.
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Baby Boomer makes a very good point.
Baby Boomer,
Wasn’t sure my post was moderated or didn’t get submitted. Decided to wait.. but probably the latter happened.
A short version of is, which part of the bracketed ‘TO OTHERS’ did you not understand?
I included an analogy that asking a rich man to dine in a foodcourt could be perceived to be savage cruelty to him.
gemami 9 July 2010
Then it supports ‘barbarism’ does it not?
No.
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What is life then if it can be taken away by someone else with the authority to do so?
Curious. You know we have different way of appreciating life, and yet you continue to force your view on others (by insisting that to do otherwise is barbaric).
There are 2 reasons that the govt can pardon him:
1. National interests — which would not be disclosed to the public.
2. The govt decides to amend the law making it a non-capital crime.