KUALA LUMPUR – The Singapore Court of Appeal has granted Malaysian death row inmate Pannir Selvam Pranthaman a temporary reprieve, staying his execution just hours before it was originally scheduled for February 20, 2025.
The decision, delivered by Judge of the Appellate Division Woo Bih Li on February 19, follows Pannir’s claims regarding his legal representation and an ongoing constitutional challenge to Singapore’s drug laws.
Lawyers for Liberty advisor N Surendran welcomed the ruling, calling it a crucial step in Pannir’s fight for justice.
“Fantastic news out of Spore!! M’sian Pannir Selvam scheduled to be executed in the morning- granted eleventh hour stay of execution by High Ct!” he wrote on social media platform X.
News of the stay emerged near the end of a candlelight vigil attended by approximately 200 people in remembrance of Pannir and others executed under the city-state’s capital punishment laws. As the announcement was made, supporters and activists cheered in relief.
The vigil, organised by the Transformative Justice Collective (TJC), also commemorated the 12 individuals executed in Singapore over the past year. TJC welcomed the stay as a necessary step but stressed that further action was required.
“Pannir needs to file a follow-up application, and he has a very short window to do so. TJC and those who support Pannir, his family, and the abolition of the death penalty will continue their work. Two others face execution next Wednesday,” the group said, as quoted by Singapore’s The Online Citizen.
TJC also noted that two other inmates, who had sought stays of execution on similar grounds, were executed despite their applications.
Pannir, 37, was convicted in 2017 for importing 51.84g of diamorphine into Singapore and had exhausted previous appeals and clemency petitions.
His latest application sought to delay his execution on three grounds: alleged misconduct by his former lawyer Ong Ying Ping, a pending constitutional challenge concerning the Misuse of Drugs Act, and the Singapore Prison Service’s (SPS) alleged unlawful disclosure of his correspondence to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
The Court of Appeal dismissed his third argument, ruling that while the disclosure was improper, it did not compromise his conviction or sentence. However, it found merit in the first two claims, allowing him to proceed with a post-appeal capital case (PACC) application.
The court acknowledged that an ongoing Law Society complaint against Ong could require Pannir’s participation, potentially affecting his ability to prepare for execution. His family had lodged a complaint against Ong on February 18, alleging misconduct and inaction by the Law Society despite the urgency of the matter.
Additionally, the court noted that the pending constitutional challenge could impact the legal foundation of Pannir’s conviction, as he was found guilty under section 18(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Although the court identified delays in Pannir’s filing, it deemed the legal issues substantial enough to justify granting him the opportunity to proceed with the PACC application.
As a result, a stay of execution was ordered pending the resolution of his application, marking a significant development in his prolonged legal battle. – February 19, 2025