Last-Minute Reprieve! Singapore Court Halts Execution of M’sian Death Row Inmate

Source: Says

In a dramatic turn of events, the Singapore Court of Appeal has halted the execution of Malaysian death row inmate Pannir Selvam just hours before his scheduled hanging. The decision, made on 20 February, has granted him a temporary stay of execution pending unresolved legal proceedings.

Judge of the Appellate Division Woo Bih Li ruled that Pannir’s execution cannot proceed while there are ongoing legal cases, including a constitutional challenge to Singapore’s drug laws and a dispute against his former lawyer, Ong Ying Ping.

According to Bernama, Pannir had filed a post-appeal application under Singapore’s Post-Appeal Applications in Capital Cases (PACC) Act, which allows death row inmates to seek legal remedies even after exhausting all legal avenues. He represented himself in this application and submitted his arguments just days before his scheduled execution.

The court also reviewed submissions from Singapore’s Attorney General and the Ministry of Home Affairs, alongside Pannir’s own affidavit filed on 17 February.

Pannir’s Lawyer Confirms Execution is Off – But For How Long?

Pannir’s Malaysian lawyer, N Surendran, confirmed that the execution will not take place today but cautioned that this does not mean he is out of danger yet.

“This doesn’t mean he is not on death row, but it sure does give us all a sense of relief,” he told the New Straits Times.

The ongoing legal challenges could potentially affect Pannir’s conviction in the long run, giving hope to his legal team and supporters.

Human Rights Groups Rally Behind Pannir

The night before the ruling, several human rights groups staged a candlelight vigil outside the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur to protest Pannir’s impending execution. Many supporters gathered to show solidarity with his family and advocate against the death penalty.

Pannir’s Case: A Timeline of Events

Pannir, now 37, was convicted in 2017 by the Singapore High Court for the capital offence of importing 51.84g of heroin through the Woodlands checkpoint in 2014. Since then, he has been fighting against his death sentence, arguing for a fair legal process.

While the stay of execution offers a temporary lifeline, the question remains—will this legal battle lead to a breakthrough, or is it just a delay before the inevitable?