Wednesday, October 26, 2005
~ 3:00 PM ~
The furore in Aussie for these past few days: an Australian (origins frm Vietnam) is about to be executed in Singapore for possession of 400grams of drugs.
Brief summary of case:
>Aussie was about to fly off from Changi Airport to Sydney in 2002. He was caught having 400 grams of drugs strapped around his body and in his luggage.
>Aussie admitted guilt and cooperated with all police authorities to help nab an international syndicate.
>Sentenced to death (In singapore, if one carries more than 15 grams of illegal drugs, the offence carries a mandatory death penalty.)
>Appeal for clemency has been rejected by the President of Singapore.
>Having exhausted all diplomatic channels, Australian lawyers, parliament and opposition party have rallied together to publicly appeal to the Singapore cabinet to spare the aussie's life.
My personal view is that saving this australian's life is rather bleak. why? coz i cant recall a case whereby the President of Singapore did provide clemency. Earlier this year in Singapore, an Indian was executed for possession of drugs despite a huge uproar from the public and repeated pleas. U guessed it rite, the president of singapore did not give clemency to the Indian despite the pleas.
Singapore has always been tough on its laws...especially when dealing with illegal drugs. Their mandatory death sentence is meant as a deterrance. It instills fear in people, so that they will avoid the conduct of possessing drugs. As a matter of fact, the law has succeeded in instilling fear. This explains why NONE of the executed convicts ARE drug syndicate BOSSES/LEADERS (this may be subject to rebuttal). Even if it is a sweeping statement, one cannot deny that majority of the executed are merely scapegoats..In other words, the death penalty has not eliminated the root...the sprout is still growing.
I must say that I am rather appalled that clemency was not given to the young Australian. This is based on the fact that the Singapore Consitution actually provides room for clemency should the convict provide invaluable assistance and help to the police authorities. This was what the Australian did! He never denied his crime. He was forthcoming in his crime and had provided full cooperation, revealing invaluable information about the drug syndicate he was smuggling the drugs for. Has singapore turned a blind eye on his cooperation? I dont know as i do not know the exact facts..but from wat it seems, u can guess...
As I write this, I have a feeling that as the international pressure builds up on the Singapore Cabinet to spare the young man's life, the tougher the Cabinet's stand gets. The Singapore govt has always shown itself to be not swayed by any superpower. This was evident in the case when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong procceded on with his private visit to Taiwan despite huge protests from the China government. Hence, should the Singapore Cabinet change its decision due to this mounting pressure, it may open a floodgate that may have unimaginable backlashes. Moreover, should Singapore proceed with the execution of the Australian, it would be able to send a very very strong signal that there's no way of escaping punishment in Singapore should you be caught with drugs. There's no way in hell that you can be saved....
If you ask me whether the Australian should be hanged. I would only say "Give the man the due punishment and no more than that." I am in no position to debate over whether Singapore should execute the Australian as it deals with so many issues which extend to the political and economic level.
I pray and hope....would i be surprised if the Australian is not executed? I would be surprised to find myself say 'yes'...
