Andrew Loh –
The family of Yong Vui Kong has been working hard these past two months – hitting the streets in both Singapore and Malaysia to collect signatures for a petition begging President SR Nathan to spare Vui Kong’s life.
Activists in Malaysia have rallied to their cause. By 10 am this morning, the campaign had collected a total of 109 346 signatures. Among those who signed were 44 Members of Parliament and 15 senators in Malaysia.
Vui Kong’s father and six siblings delivered the petition and signatures to the Istana earlier today. They were accompanied by Sabah MP Datuk Chua Soon Bui, some close relatives, as well as lawyers M Ravi and Ngeow Chow Ying.
The family was not able to hand the petition to guards at the front gates of the Istana and had to use an alternative entrance 15 minutes away. The group walked uphill, in the blazing heat to this other gate where they were met by Security Officer, Corporal Marcus Chong [picture, right]. He took the files of signatures and told the family, “You may leave now.”
Vui Kong’s father, Mr Yong Kwong Keong, had prepared a personal message for President Nathan. Corporal Chong was asked to help pass this on but declined to do so, instead asking repeatedly for the family to vacate the area.
Mr Yong broke down in tears and the family knelt down in front of the gates. They remained there for several minutes before guards ordered them to leave.
At a press conference held later, Mr Ravi expressed disappointment over how the Yong family was treated at the Istana . “We are also faced with the unfortunate circumstance that we have to go to the Istana,” he said, “even though the courts have said that the President has no power.”
Datuk Chua urged President Nathan and the Cabinet to give Vui Kong’s case due consideration before making a final decision. She also questioned a decision by prison authorities to deny her request to visit Vui Kong on Monday. The Online Citizen understands two of his aunts were also denied access, although a cousin was granted entry.
“I feel the authorities should be more human,” Datuk Chua said. “This case is a special case. We don’t know how long before [Vui Kong’s] life is terminated. The family members and I came here just to see Vui Kong. We feel this is not too much to ask.”
The deadline for Vui Kong to submit his clemency appeal to the President is Thursday, 26 August.
However, when handing down his decision on Mr Ravi’s application for a judicial review of the clemency process, Justice Steven Chong had “invited” the Singapore Prison Service to extend the stay of execution as he said he expected Mr Ravi to appeal his judgement.
Mr Ravi has requested confirmation of the extension from the Prison Service, however, as of Tuesday, 24 August, he has yet to receive a response.
Vui Kong was arrested in June, 2007. He was 18 and a half years old then. The Singapore courts subsequently sentenced him to death for trafficking 47g of heroin into Singapore. He was originally scheduled to hang on 4 December last year, but since then, his lawyer, M Ravi, has managed to obtain two stays of executions.
In the past few weeks, the Yong family, as well as campaigners in both Malaysia and Singapore have worked round the clock, organising public forums and collecting signatures online and on the streets, to appeal to President Nathan to spare Vui Kong’s life.
Several non-governmental organisations are backing the campaign. These include the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia, Amnesty International Malaysia, Lawyers For Liberty, Amnesty Hong Kong and the Singapore Anti-death Penalty Campaign.
The Malaysian government added its voice to the call for clemency when it sent a letter of appeal to Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 29. The Singapore government however has yet to respond to the letter. A spokesman for the ministry told the media that “[the] letter of appeal has been referred to the legal authorities.”
The campaign to save Vui Kong does not end today. “We will continue to collect signatures until the President makes a decision,” said Ms Ngeow.
“As long as there’s time, even if there’s just one second left,” said Yun Leong, “we will all still work hard for Vui Kong.”
Members of the public who wish to sign the petition may do so online here.
Special thanks to Lynn Lee.
———-
Read also:
Paris – Kuala Lumpur, 25 August 2010 :
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), representing 164 organisations across the world, calls on the Singaporean authorities to uphold the right to life, as enshrined in international law, and urges HE S. R. Nathan, President of Singapore, to exercise his constitutional power to grant a pardon to Mr. Yong Vui Kong, a 22-year-old Malaysian national, who has been sentenced to death by hanging. (Full report here.)
————
Some pictures from this morning:
More pictures, by Damien Chng:
HELP keep the voice of TOC alive!
If you like this article, please consider a small donation to help theonlinecitizen.com stay alive. Please note that we can only accept donations from Singaporeans. Thank you for your assistance.Do you have a flair for writing? Volunteer with us. Email us your full name and contact details to theonlinecitizen@gmail.com
beg, cry, kneel, roll… whatever. if this one is granted clemency, i forsee more to come, using the same excuses.
singapore garmen. go ahead and do what is best for your people, your country…
sad case but the law is the law….
@LuciusKane: Thinking that sparing VK will set a precedent to encourage druglords to recruit youths makes the assumption that the druglords actually CARE about what happens to the mules after they get caught.
But the druglords don’t. And they are already recruiting young people. Not because young people get clemency, but because the young people they recruit are naive, impressionable and often desperate.
Sparing VK will not release a flood of youthful drug mules. But sticking stubbornly to a policy of hanging drug mules will just mean we hang more and more young people, in the hopes that one day the druglords will grow a conscience and stop.
I am really touched by MP Datuk Chua Soon Bui who has taken the trouble to bring a very personal touch to all this. To Datuk Chua, I thank you with all sincerety.
I have been reading so many comments from both sides regarding Vui Kong’s age and I will add my own.
My argument to also consider Vui Kong’s age in his mitigation is due to my very heartfelt belief that it is only BECAUSE of his age that he has a lot of potential for rehabilitation. Indeed the reports all indicate that he is well on his way in that process. It is because of his age (I don’t maen to imply that older people convicted under thsi law are not rehabilitable; I’m jusat saying that it is far easier for someone at Vui Kong’s age to make changes in his life.)
Why curb that process?
In all likelihood, this experience has sent a lasting shock to his system and he has turned around, and I’m sure that it is for good.
Vui Kong must be given clemency.
@LuciusKane,
“…do we spare an 18 yr old just because of that? Especially next time there will be a precedent, will flocks of 18 yr old turn to trafficking because they knew we have a weak spot?”
I don’t think that 18-year olds are going to find the prospect of spending years in jail a very attractive option if the death penalty were to be abolished or if Vui Kong is spared. 18-year olds may lack the life experience of older people that can help them mature them, but they are definitely not stupid.
koolman,
Totally agreed with you and also hor more casinos should be built so that all the young and old, man and women can conveniently gamble their hard earn money right here in singapore.
Great. Good business for the casino operators and Govt. Who cares if they died or lost all their saving. Oh yes, never mind, no money loan sharks are easily available here.
PAP is acting blur again. The PM is most guilty of incompetence and not doing his duty as head of clemency committee. He must explain to the public why the President got no clemency power and why Vui Kong must die.
Singapore has faced violent protests and pressure groups before, both local and foreign, and has never succumbed to such pleas for clemency to the extent that its Embassy was ransacked by mobs. It still stands firm on the rule of law principle.
The rule of law principle means it cannot and shall not be subject to public sympathy, emotional outbursts, threat of mob violence, mass campaigns, media trials, etc, unless the Singapore Constitution has been changed or amended.
All of us are for pro-life and the rule of law takes precedent. There is only one set of Singapore Constitution and no proviso is made therein. If the Constitution says so, it must be so. No 2 ways about it. We have to be practical and realistic of our expectations.
@koolman
Probably Shanmugam’s dumbest argument. Can’t believe you bought it.
What? You think drug lords will audition their mules and say “hey, I’ll chose you, pregnant girl, because you won’t get executed if you’re caught.”
Oh, and then pregnant girl says “you’re right, I’ll only spend 30 years in jail.. it’s worth it, I’ll take the job!”
If we take out the simple fact that VK is 18 years old and relook at the case again, what so difference abt him and the many drug traffickers in the sg jail and malaysia jail?
Innocence? First timer? Naive? I don’t know. So many out there, why save VK and not that old man in the neighbouring cell? Maybe that old man got an 80 yrs old mother at home, and many kids to be fed. ha!
The way i look at this, probably the main exciting factor for all is politics bah.
Japan execution chamber opening could spark debate
Factbox
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67M1DG20100823
Death penalty in Japan and around the world
5:1
By Yoko Kubota
TOKYO | Mon Aug 23, 2010 5:19am EDT
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Justice Minister Keiko Chiba’s decision to allow the media a rare look at an execution chamber this month could spark public debate in a country where a hefty majority supports retaining the death penalty.
Chiba, who used to be a member of a lawmakers’ group opposing capital punishment, had not signed off any executions since she took power last September, but suddenly did so in July. She did not give specific reasons for her move.
But she took the unusual step of attending the hangings, and then said she would open up the gallows in Tokyo to media and set up a group within the ministry to study the death penalty.
Information on the execution process is scarce in Japan, which along with the United States is one of only two Group of Eight rich countries that retain capital punishment.
Japan currently has 107 people on death row.
Supporters and opponents of capital punishment agree it is unlikely to be abolished in Japan in the near future, but activists hope to use the momentum generated by opening up the gallows to cast a spotlight on the issue.
“The key is what type of debate could take place in the Japanese society after the opening of the execution chamber, including the role of the media and myself,” said Nobuto Hosaka, a former lawmaker and an activist against death penalty.
Experts say inmates are notified of the timing of their execution only on the morning it is carried out, usually about an hour beforehand, and families are not given an advance warning.
Once the execution takes place, the Justice Ministry releases the name and crimes of the inmate.
“The death penalty is scary because we don’t know much about it,” said Tomohiro Umino, a 31-year-old engineer.
“I say that I support death penalty but it is based on limited information. But my decision could change if more information becomes available,” he said.
While opening the gallows to the media could prompt more public awareness, some critics of the death penalty doubt it will bring about major change.
“This could be thought as a step forward, but as Amnesty we think this is absolutely not enough in terms of publicizing information,” said Osamu Amano of Amnesty International Japan.
“The situation is hidden behind a thick veil of secrecy,” he said, adding that information such as health conditions of inmates should be accessible to third parties.
LACK OF REALITY
Public support for the death penalty is rising in Japan, according to a government survey, in contrast with other developed countries.
Last year, 86 percent said retaining the death penalty is unavoidable, compared to 80 percent in 1999, although a recent NHK public TV survey showed a lower support figure of 57 percent.
Experts say intensified media coverage of crime, worries about safety and the doomsday cult Aum Shinri Kyo’s 1995 gas attack on Tokyo subways have led to public support for harsh sentences.
Political debate on the issue remains limited, as many lawmakers feel calls to abolish the death penalty would not help them win votes.
But when a new lay judge system started last year, experts were concerned over how little the public knows about the death penalty, even though the new system means ordinary people may have to become involved in handing down such sentences.
“Seeing the actual place where executions take place could make a difference in terms of the sense of reality,” said Takeshi Tsuchimoto, a former prosecutor who supports the death penalty.
Opponents also point to the danger of executing someone who is innocent. The issue of false charges came under the spotlight last year when a man was released from jail after 17 years when his conviction for killing a four-year-old girl was overturned after DNA evidence.
Yasuyuki Tokuda, a lawyer who is working to reopen the case of a man hanged in 2008, said executions should not take place so long as there is any possibility of a mistake.
“Even if he is found innocent, (the executed inmate) Mr. Kuma cannot come back,” he said.
“I hope to do my best to win an acquittal in this retrial and start a big move toward a review of the death penalty system.”
China launches death penalty rethink
By Jamil Anderlini in Beijing
Published: August 23 2010 16:42 | Last updated: August 23 2010 17:43
China’s top legislature said on Monday it was considering the abolition of the death penalty for a range of non-violent economic crimes, including animal smuggling, tax evasion and forgery.
The proposed amendment to China’s criminal law would reduce the number of crimes punishable by death by about one-fifth, from 68 to 55.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/48180956-898a-11df-9ea6-00144feab49a.html
China executes former Chongqing official – Jul-07
Beijing executes Japanese drug-smuggler – Apr-06
Beijing urged to spare Briton’s life – Dec-28
The amendment is the latest in a number of reforms to the death penalty pushed for by Chinese legal scholars who have complained that many people guilty of trivial crimes or unfairly tried have been executed.
The reformers in recent years also persuaded the authorities to require Supreme Court approval for all death sentences and to make torture inadmissible in capital cases.
Amnesty International estimates China executes thousands of people each year, far more than the rest of the world combined, and often kills prisoners to make a political point to opponents of the ruling Communist party.
The 13 crimes that would no longer warrant the death penalty include smuggling of gold, silver, cultural relics or rare animals and their products.
They also include forging or falsely selling tax invoices, teaching crime-committing methods, robbing ancient cultural ruins and carrying out fraudulent activities with letters of credit or financial bills.
Chinese legal experts said in practice the death penalty has seldom been used in recent years to punish people who committed these crimes and the draft amendment was largely intended to reflect the current reality.
Crimes that will remain punishable by death even if the amendment is approved, include “attempting to split the state”, “revealing state secrets” and “subversion”, all of which are poorly defined in China’s criminal code.
The draft amendment was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s pliant legislature, for its first reading on Monday.
For relatively uncontroversial law changes, the NPC is usually allowed to decide for itself but more important decisions are made behind closed doors by the ruling party.
“Considering China’s current economic and social development reality, appropriately removing the death penalty from some economy-related non-violent offences, will not negatively affect social stability nor public security,” Li Shishi, director of the Commission for Legislative Affairs of the NPC Standing Committee, was quoted by state media as saying
Factbox: Death penalty in Japan and around the world
Mon Aug 23, 2010 5:19am EDT
(Reuters) – Japan is set to open an execution chamber to the media for the first time, after the justice minister attended the hangings of two inmates in July and called for more debate on capital punishment.
Japan and the United States are the only countries in the Group of Eight rich nations that conduct executions.
Following are key facts on the death penalty in Japan and around the world.
JAPAN
* Japan executed 7 people in 2009. Since 2007, the justice ministry has released information on those who have been hanged after the execution, such as their names and the crimes they committed.
* Death row inmates are kept in solitary confinement in 7 detention centers throughout the country. Currently, there are 107 of them.
* The death row inmates are notified on the morning of the execution day that they will be executed, usually about an hour before the execution. The U.N. Committee against Torture has criticized Japan for “the psychological strain” on inmates and their families over the uncertainty of the execution timing.
* Execution is by hanging. Medical experts have said that a person who is hanged immediately loses consciousness and their heart stops in about 15 minutes.
* While the law says an execution must take place within six months after the sentence is finalized by the court system, in practice it usually takes several years. Among 30 executions that took place in the 10 years from 1997, the average period was 7 years and 11 months. Some inmates have been in solitary confinement for over 20 years.
AROUND THE WORLD
* There are 58 countries that still retain capital punishment, while 104 countries have abolished it and 35 have stopped executions in practice.
* At least 714 people were executed in 2009, though the total does not include China, which did not provide a figure.
* The 18 countries known to have conducted executions in 2009 were: Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Libya, Malaysia, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, the United States, Vietnam and Yemen.
* Hanging, shooting, beheading, stoning, electrocution and lethal injection are common methods of executing people.
* The countries that executed the most people include Iran with at least 388, Iraq at least 120, Saudi Arabia at least 69, and the United States with 52. But China has likely conducted more executions than the rest of the world combined.
* There are 35 countries that in practice have a moratorium on executions. These are Algeria, Benin, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Nauru, Niger, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Congo, Russia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia and Zambia.
* In the United States, death sentences and executions have been falling due to heated debate about innocent people being put to death, as well as the high costs of the process, including facilities and trial costs. There was a de-facto moratorium on executions from late 2007 to early 2008 as the Supreme Court heard a challenge to the lethal injection method, which it rejected in April 2008.
Sources: Reuters, Amnesty International, U.N. Committee against Torture, book “Death Penalty” by Yomiuri newspaper city news department, former lawmaker Nobuto Hosaka
The trouble with such cases is that it’s always the small guys-even if he is a guilty party-get crucified but the bigwits are always FREE somehow?
So,pray tell me,where is true justice in sentencing the small culprits and letting the mortal offenders go scotfree?
It’s the same in seemingly literate WALLSTREET and the same with less erudite crimes like drug trafficking.
The masters of the game can even have their MONEY put in safe custody for them?
this is an insult to human wisdom and integrity.
Koolman
Are you saying every single one who is against killing VK is playing politics?
We are talking about taking a life here, the facts & reasons better be solid enough although in my book, human lives should not be ended by another fellow human.
To me, the right way to deal with foreign drug traffickers is to turn them to their respective country authorities so that they can hunt down & nail the masterminds in their own countries. The trafficker is solid key witness. Sporeans & citizens of other countries will thank & appluad the Govt for this.
This way, masterminders will think thrice before trying with another vulnerable boy or girl because if the latter got caught, he will be nailed. By hanging the traffickers what does it solve?
So Koolman, pls tell us what is so political about this besides all the other facts like assumptions in the law, that other posters have made.
@koolman,
“If we take out the simple fact that VK is 18 years old and relook at the case again, what so difference abt him and the many drug traffickers in the sg jail and malaysia jail?”
There’s probably not too great of a difference. But if you subscribe to the belief that this campaign to have Vui Kong’s life spared is not also about the bigger picture view, that has obiously eluded you, which is the abolishment of any death sentence, then you are probably also not qualified to comment on this matter.
“Innocence? First timer? Naive? I don’t know. So many out there, why save VK and not that old man in the neighbouring cell?”
Do you think that the fact of a person’s innocence warrants death?
Do you think that the fact of person being a first time offender warrants death?
Do you think that the fact of being naive warrants death?
Or is it you perhaps you who is bereft of the capacity to believe, whether you are religious or not, that all human beings are capable of making self-improvement, and that all our belief systems, religious or otherwise which includes secularism, believe that humans are capable of personal growth?
I think the problem lies with your lack of imagination that it is possible, and your lack of knowledege of the support programs that can be employed to achieve that goal.
“Maybe that old man got an 80 yrs old mother at home, and many kids to be fed. ha!”
Don’t you have any dependants?
“The way i look at this, probably the main exciting factor for all is politics bah.”
And the PAP’s politics is exactly the reason that we have the death penalty in the first place. All rightwing extremists love the death penalty.
If this 18 year old VK get pardon,it doesn’t mean next 18 year old drug smuggler must get pardon too.Whether the govt would grant pardon depends on its consideration and wishes.
1) End of the day , Death Penalty will be abolished worldwide… what sg govt are waiting for ?….Singapore have to join like another 35 countries to stop executions (Death Penalty) in practice.
2) Singaporean citizens are “Good citizens” in generally to follow the law and regulation without MDP.
The Common Basis for Abolition: Values, Principles and Criminal Policy
EU, International Criminal Court and United Nations Security Council Resolutions – Against Death Penalty
The death penalty poses a set of distinct questions of a philosophical, they shared common ground – that of the inhumane, unnecessary and irreversible character of capital punishment, no matter how cruel the crime committed by the offendereligious, political and criminological nature. Although Member States’ experiences in abolition varied in time, r. Besides, this justification now seems to be shared by the international community as a whole, insofar as both the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the United Nations Security Council Resolutions establishing the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda do of sanctions, even when the most serious crimes, including genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes are to be tried. not provide the death penalty among the range. Taken from a website.
THE POINT HERE IS WHY HAVE TIES WITH COUNTRIES WHO DON’T ACCEPT THIS DEATH PENALTY. SINGAPOREANS GO ON TRIPS, HOLIDAYS,STUDIES AND WHATEVER EVEN COPIES THE WAY THESE PEOPLE DRESS AND TALK BUT WHEN IT COMES TO REAL THING SINGAPOREANS ARE NO NEAR. WE SINGAPOREANS ARE NEVER INDEPENDENT WE HAVE THE HERD MENTALITY AND WE ARE ONLY GOOD AT QUEUING FOR FREE GOODIES AND WAITING FOR CARROTS DURING GEs . LIVE YOUR DREA, SINGAPOREANS WILL ONLY LIVE THEIR DREAMS WHEN THEY DIE.COME ON SINGAPOREANS BE OPEN MINDED AND LOOK AT THINGS INDEPENDENTLY YOU DON’T NEED TO BE WHAT YOU ARE. BE BRAVE, BE BOLD, BE ME
To Singaporeans before we judge others take a look
Now, let’s compare Singapore’s list to the Specially Designated Nationals List (SDN) of the U.S.
The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (”OFAC”) of the US Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and other threats to the national security of the US.
Let’s look who is on the SDN list from Singapore.
Steven Law (a.k.a. CHUNG, Lo Ping; a.k.a. HALIM, Abdul; a.k.a. LO, Ping Han; a.k.a. LO, Ping Hau; a.k.a. LO, Ping Zhong; a.k.a. LO, Steven; a.k.a. NAING, Htun Myint; a.k.a. NAING, Tun Myint; a.k.a. NAING, U Myint), 3 Shenton Way, #10-01 Shenton House, Singapore, citizen of Burma.
Stephen Law is the son of Burma’s notorious drug lord Lo Hsing Han, who, at one point, was sentenced to death in Burma for drug trafficking. The United States has refused Stephen Law an entry visa “on suspicion of drug trafficking.”
Singapore’s Traders Hotel (Drug traders?)
Lo Hsing Han’s Asia World (managed by Stephen Law) and the Burmese junta are also partners in Singapore’s luxury Traders Hotel. The hotel’s November 1996 opening ceremony was attended by the wanted guy, Lo Hsing Han himself.
Steven Law’s Singaporean wife, Cecilia, is also on the SNA list and is the owner of many companies in Singapore.
According to a high-level US government official familiar with the situation, Law’s wife Cecilia Ng operates an underground banking system, and “is a contact for people in Burma to get their drug money into Singapore, because she has a connection to the government.”
Unfortunately, we were unable to find any verifiable photographs of either Stephen Law, nor of his wife, Cecelia – not even any wedding photos.
Others on Singapore’s SNA list, which the Straits Times, chooses to ignore are:
Kheng Siang Chew (a.k.a. CHOU, Hsien Cheng), Singapore citizen.
Aik Haw, at The Anchorage, Alexandra Road, Apt. 370G, Cowry Building, Singapore, is a Burmese citizen.
TEZA (a.k.a. TAYZA; a.k.a. ZA, Tay; a.k.a. ZA, Te; a.k.a. ZA, U Tay; a.k.a. ZA, U Te), 6 Cairnhill Circle, Number 18-07, Cairnhill Crest Singapore, is a citizen of Burma.
U Kyaw Thein, 503 Sembawang Road, #02-29, Singapore is a citizen of Burma and a permanent resident of Singapore.
For those of you who wish the visit the SNA website, and take a look for themselves
These are from the website and as a Singaporean I am surprised that there are allowed to move around freely smewhere. Copied from John Harding Website
@ Stressed
You forgot this one and it runs closest to home… at least Vui Kong’s home:
Minister told to save those in Malaysia death row
Hans David Tampubolon, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 08/24/2010 8:55 AM | National
A | A | A |
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa to take action to defend and protect hundreds of Indonesians facing death sentences in Malaysia.
Yudhoyono said the government had tried its best to provide legal assistance and advocacy to Indonesians living abroad.
“I personally have been taking care of this matter to ensure fairness. During bilateral meetings [between Indonesia and Malaysia], the Malaysian authorities updated me on each of the legal cases and the best solutions that could fulfill Indonesia’s expectation,” Yudhoyono told a plenary Cabinet meeting as quoted by kompas.com on Monday.
During the meeting, Yudhoyono instructed Marty to update the number of Indonesians on death row in the neighboring country.
A report from non-governmental organization Sabang-Merauke Circle, says 345 Indonesian migrant workers are facing the death sentence in Malaysia.
Three NGOs, the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence, Migrant Care and NGO Forum on Indonesian Development (Infid), have also pressed Yudhoyono to ensure human rights for the Indonesian citizens.
Yudhoyono stressed that regardless of efforts to protect Indonesians from the death penalty, the country had to respect the legal system and policies in place in Malaysia.
Separately, House of Representatives Speaker Marzuki Alie from Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party said that in the midst of the diplomatic effort to save Indonesians from the death penalty there, the country had to respect the Malaysian legal system and refrain from interfering.
“If their legal system stipulates the death penalty, can we interfere? Please respect other country’s legal systems,” Marzuki told reporters Monday.
Marzuki urged Indonesia to look at the basis used by the Malaysian authorities in seeking capital punishment.
“Some are involved in drug trafficking. They know that drug trafficking is punishable by the death penalty [in Malaysia], so, they should not have attempted to bring drugs in the first place,” he said.
One of Marzuki’s deputies, Pramono Anung from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), says that whatever case the Indonesians abroad are involved in, the government should have taken more initiative to protect them, but so far such a commitment was not visible.
“The foreign minister should have been more active in giving assistance knowing his fellow countrymen are in trouble abroad,” he said.
Pramono also urged the Foreign Ministry to officially issue a diplomatic note to the Malaysian government to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Another deputy speaker, Golkar Party’s Priyo Budi Santoso, said the government had to show commitment to saving the lives of Indonesians abroad for the sake of national pride and dignity.
“I am warning the government to save every single ounce of dignity that we still have,” Priyo said.
He said the government’s commitment toward the safety of its own people abroad had been disappointing. “Let’s take the US as a comparison. The US government will utilize its highest authority to save even one life of its countrymen,” he said.
“So, the government must not be slow in dealing with this matter,” he added.
Someone thought that the drug lords are a bunch of morons running the drug operations. Is that really so?
Just look at the recent drug traffickers being caught in our region ( over the last 10 years), you will noticed. Most of them young woman ( esp spore good reputation), young man. WHY? VK’s case provided a very clear answer.
You see, in this reality world. Somehow, we have to be responsible for our actions. Whether naive, innocent, first timer, the warning/ consequences is all over the place and extremely clear. South east asia countries have DEATH PENALTY for drug trafficking. Or else, why someone pay so much MONEY for you to carry that small parcel to other countries. I mean, Federal express is much more convenient and probably cheaper to hire you. They even pick it up from your house.
So why just save VK? WHY not the so many people sentenced to death in malaysia, sg, indo, phillipines, brunei, etc.
WHY malaysia politician so “Geng” whereas their own prisons is full of “innocent” to save? Every year save one, maybe can last over 100 years man!
What abt the benefits of brought over by VK? 1g of good heroin can be repacked into many portions. so 47g how many? Don’t even talk abt past delivery. Those people addicted will forever stuck in the hell of drug addict. So far, there is no 100% safe way to rid of addiction. They are also very innocent, naive, some even say they are first timer. They don’t have families? They don’t have girlfren/brother/sis/papa/mama? Some can chant good scripture and draw good cartoons. Some might even dance and sing well.
How?
I think the state will let him die. Not hanging him would set a dangerous precedence…well at least it’s deemed dangerous enough in their eyes.
This will not be a simple case. If they hang VK, there will belong term lingering repercussions from local, Malaysian & international sentiments against the MDP.
Everyone knows Singapore gah-men is a Howlian administration, very desperate for “face”, so will be interesting to see how this howlian gah-men handle this.
:)
First of all, it is absolutely imperative to understand the background of Nathan and LKY.
Both men have the distinction of going down in history as the only two buggers who served the japanese imperial army during the occupation of s’pore in WW2 and subsequently becoming president and prime minister respectively.
Now ask ourselves, which country in the world has citizens like Singapore that can accept such an arrangement ?
Now ask ourselves, will such men who volutarily served the japanese, notorious for brutal crimes against civilians can actually have a sense of empathy, sense of humanity in them ?
Now ask ourselves, does the highest paid stooge on this planet serve the people or his master the ‘god of no mercy’ ?
Now ask ourselves, can the ‘god of no mercy’ actually know what is mercy?
the msia gov is doing all it can to save the life of jus one ordinary malaysian.
even involving the ministries in malaysia.
and singapore?
the singapore gov is so eager to hang whoever (except the white foreigners/elites)and refusing to help any singaporean in trouble aboard.
and they still got the cheek to tell all sgreans to do their national duties?!
i say f**k the pap gov,they are a bunch of worthless,heartless shits who deserve nothing more than contempt and filth.
this incident have come to show how high handed the pap gov can be and why so many still support this heartless gov is still anybody’s guess.
pap for more good year???riiiiight good for who????
Let’s not take every available opportunity to damn the government. It simply makes those who do look childish.
First and foremost, the laws on drug trafficking in SG are clear-cut. And I suppose VK knows it very well. SG is most famous for its strict laws on drug offences. Yet VK tried. Does he look down on our security officers or border guards?
Secondly, it seems that the only basis for VK’s appeal is “compassionate grounds”. All other talk of “family to feed”, “pitiful family background” if any are just reasons at best. They are not legal grounds for an acquittal – no matter how many wives, granduncles, aunties, cousins or neighbours his family can muster to the Istana.
Thirdly, it is quite obvious that there is at least some political forces at work here, albeit foreign. Some individuals are clearly taking the opportunity to further their political objectives.
Bottomline is – you know the law, you break the law, you face the law. If compassion is shown, it’s an undeserved kindness. If not, don’t curse anyone.
To stretch the case a little bit more (probably exaggerate a little):
If I sold drugs to your children, wife/husband, parents, cousins, etc. I ‘d just need to prepare a whole lot of family members to cry at the Istana to stay alive. Oh, then I’d rather be the drug boss who hires such a person to run the job for me – anyone with a large family who can cry and kneel will be employed.
To clarify, I’m not without compassion. I’m also not saying that he should be let off totally. But to know the consequences, and yet challenge it, is simply a slap in the face of the law.
Well, if the malaysian gov is so concerned and humane, they DO have the capacity. Abolish their own death sentence first and spared those many “VK” in their own prison.
Then i will say they are truly compassionate abt all this.
If VK had done something wrong karma will decide his fate. Likewise those evil murderers who want hang him will not get away from karma effect.
Aiyo, why debate some more? Just hang this convicted drug trafficker. Hope this will serve as a lesson to those who think they can get away trafficking drugs.
I hope Singapore government will not let pressures change the sentence.
Again I repeat – JUST HANG THIS DRUG TRAFFICKER.
@ Malaysia Chinese.
“Again I repeat – JUST HANG THIS DRUG TRAFFICKER.”
If you are Vui Kong’s family members. Will you say such thing. If yes, I will support the death penalty.
TwisterX
Your opening statement gave you away. “Let’s not take every available opportunity to damn the government…” You are here for political reasons, not about why VK is not being murdered.
You said “the laws on drug trafficking in SG are clear-cut. And I SUPPOSE (my caps) VK knows it very well.”
You SUPPOSE??? They are taking a young person’s life and you SUPPOSE??
You said “Secondly, it SEEMS (my caps) that the only basis…..”
Seems? You better be dead sure, it is taking a young person’s life.
Not bothered to read the rest of your comment after this.
Malaysia Chinese
It may be your son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter doing it at 17 yrs of age after getting into the wrong company. Lets see what you will say then.
@Malaysian Chinese
“Hope this will serve as a lesson to those who think they can get away trafficking drugs.”
Your reason for wanting to hang someone is “I hope it works”?
Well, the same argument can be apply.
If you are the families of those drug addicts that VK feeding the drugs, then what do you say? karma?
When VK brought back tonnes of money back home, did their families suspected something fishy? Did they advice him not to do something illegal?
“不见棺材不掉泪”， “养不教，父之过”
Shut up! Say no more!
Heaven has reveal his fate on this VK case. Since so many high profile politicians signing the petition, pleading on behalf for this young man. So this young man must be a unique case, who knows may be a vessel in future to glorify Heaven, which is God.
So give him a 2nd chance!!!
>>”If you are the families of those drug addicts that VK feeding the drugs, then what do you say? karma?”<<
Did VK force the drugs upon them? Put a gun to their heads? Or they are soooo desperate to earn the much needed money to buy their parents medication, they have to abuse the drugs?
Protect the youngsters from drug abuse by educating them and giving them a full family life. At the same time, nail the masterminders. Yes of course this is difficult but just because it is difficult, are you saying then just don't do it. Just hang their traffickers to show something is being done? What talented multi-million $ paid Govt is this?
>>”When VK brought back tonnes of money back home, did their families suspected something fishy? Did they advice him not to do something illegal?”<<
How do you know they didn't? Pls tell us how did you know?
TwisterX
You ‘SUPPOSE’ and it ‘SEEMS’ to you…. For goodness sake, we are talking about taking a young person’s life here.
Your opening sentence gave you away. You are here for political reason, not about arguing why we its not murder.
@TwisterX
I don’t know where to start with this.
1. “SG is most famous for its strict laws on drug offences.”
SG is famous for chicken rice. It is INfamous for its drug laws.
2. “Yet VK tried. Does he look down on our security officers or border guards?”
Looking down on our border guards is now a capital offense.
3. “They are not legal grounds for an acquittal – no matter how many wives, granduncles, aunties, cousins or neighbours his family can muster to the Istana.”
Apparently Vui Kong’s many wives came to Singapore yesterday in their capacity as trained lawyers to make “legal grounds for an acquittal”.
4. “Thirdly, it is quite obvious that there is at least some political forces at work here, albeit foreign.”
If you believe someone deserves a second chance, you are a foreign political agent. Look out Yellow Ribbon Project.
5. “I’d rather be the drug boss who hires such a person to run the job for me – anyone with a large family who can cry and kneel will be employed.”
If we show mercy to Vui Kong, all drug bosses will start holding auditions. Potential mules will be asked to bring all their family members in. Those whose family members are good at kneeling and crying will get the role. Those who are not will be rejected.
6. “To clarify, I’m not without compassion.”
No, of course not. You just think that “if compassion is shown, it’s an undeserved kindness.”
I used yr argument back on yrs.
Did anyone forced VK to traffick drug? Did anyone put a gun on his head? Didn’t he has healthy hands and legs, although sarawak is poor but i believed earning a honest living is not an issue.
Come on, when you chose to be part of illegal drug trafficking operation, what good consequences do you expect? You think people so kind, pay you so much money for what? CRY abt innocent, naive, first timer NOW? Isn’t it too late?
Well, not only we educate youngsters on not to abuse drug. We teach them not to be so naive and be smarter, NO FREE LUNCH IN THIS WORLD. NEVER, EVER be a drug mule. or else u have to accept the consquences.
Addicts come in many forms.Gambling, Alcholic, Smoking,,etc. Are there 100% cure for these addicts?. Did anyone force these upon them? Families torn apart, beatings, bankruptcy, CANCER, going insane, increase in the bills for treatment and many other physical disorder. Is it ok to let it go onor are the people afraid to stop these vices? Come on folks here we are talking about living soul whose live is going to be extingushed. I don’t know him but I know one thing give him the chance to live. Go ahead punish him but not wiht the barbaric death penalty.
Peace N Love
“Yet VK tried. Does he look down on our security officers or border guards?”
Looking down on our border guards is now a capital offense.
hahah!!! That’s a good one!!
Koolman,
Your only valid reason for wanting VK’s life is revenge, something like terrorists. Your people were killed by another grp of people, now you must blow up ANY of THEIR people, no matter how small or big, victim or mastermind of the other grp. There is no need for any sense nor reason. One of us is killed, therefore any of theirs deserve death. When will the problem or issue be resolved? NEVER!
Do we need to take a person’s life to teach them a lesson? If we sentence him to life imprisonment, will it be too lenient for him that he is not going to learn the lesson, and will commit the same crime again?
Are we encouraging others to smugger drugs to Singapore if we punish him with life sentence instead of death sentence?
Life is precious but can be quite cheap too.
Hi Koolman,
What do you think if we spare VK from death, but instead punish him with life sentence ?
The advantage is that, given that he has repented and has been counselling others to help others in prison, he could be put to good use.
With his background, he would be a better person to influence other young people not to repeat his mistake.
What do u think?
That VK is educated about the effects of drug abuse & have both parents lovingly nurturing him at home when he was growing up. Therefore he is evil to still push it.
That VK is educated or at least could comprehend English or Mandarin and understood the SG message on drug laws.
That VK is so intelligent, he knows all about the drug operation & amount of money they make.
Non-education & Stupidity are NOT a crime, not at least deserving DEATH!
Being born in a poor family & having to do anything to survive or help member of family survive (from illness included) is not a crime, not at least deserving DEATH!
Finally, if the one caught & sent to the gallows is the drug baron lord who have used countless vulnerable youths to smuggle his drugs, I will assure you that there will not be sufficient signatures to spare his life. The MP will also not march down here to help petition it.
Who say it’s about revenge? It’s about law and order. Every human society has its own law and order, and the society assigned relevant punishment to the respective offence.
Else, the so called greedy ruling party would be much willing to FINE those heavy offenders. They will accumulated much wealth from these people.
IN my opinion, life sentence is much much more cruel than instant death. Why do people like to imprison others for such a long time?
Also, my doubt remains largely unanswered. Why VK is more important than others death sentence? Why the malaysian politicians so “excited” at VK’s case, it seems to me that there is no lack of death sentence people over there? If we spare this kind drug traffickers, will there be more of these coming?
“The people deserve their government. The majority agree, thus case closed.” – Stomper Old_Unlce favorite line
Well, this is the type of uncaring government Singaporeans voted them into power. Blame who.
Vui Kong will die for sure. This president wasn’t even voted by the people, you think he’ll care?
@twister x
let me extend my compassion to you.The contempt you show for Vui Kong and the efforts of his family, smacks of snobbery and ignorance, not real intelligence which your comments reveal quite plainly you lack. Go out and see the world instead of coming up with half-baked opnions gleaned from textbooks.
And for the others still arguing for the mandatory death penalty – think about the other side of the argument and stop using the tired argument that it’s okay to hang someone because ” what about the others?” That kind of herd mentality is the reason why the real guilty parties get away with murder.
koolman
Pls do read Gwen’s 2nd paragraph, esp the last line.
Luckily there was not a law to stone adulters in SG because people like you, ya you, koolman, will say “every society has its law & order…..”
If until now, after all the commentaries here, your doubt of ‘why VK is more important than others death’ still remain unanswered to you, its your own lack of intelligence. It makes no ground for VK to be hung.
Didn’t you argue that VK deserve the ultimate punishment? Why are you now saying what punishment is less cruel for VK?