Harro!

I'm a girl, okay?

oops.. 1000 apologies...

I suspect that the reason Shanmugam Murugesu is being used as a "poster boy" is not so much because he has a "legal leg to stand on" (serialdeviant is right; he doesn't) but rather because it gives those who have a vested interest in reform an excuse to trot out all their arguments once again.

So, it's utterly unsurprising that he has been used, because at least in his case there are other factors which make it seem rather inequitable that he is to be executed.

I'm unsure if he should be given a chance. My gut instinct is that he should, but the question is: what sort of 'chance' could this be? Would his children truly be better of with a father in jail (which is, I think, the extent of any possible pardon) rather than one who has been executed?

I disagree with the idea that Singapore's death penalty should be "reformed". Perhaps someone would point me to cogently held opinions which elucidate why Singapore in particular should remove her death penalty?

I said 'reformed', not repealed. I don't support nor oppose the death penalty myself. Haven't studied it.

And to actually add some substance to my last comment. I instinctively do not support the death penalty, but that doesn't mean I oppose it wholeheartedly. I do agree that the Singapore government is awfully opaque about it, as well as vey cold. But it's not a topic to be warm and Hallmark-y about.

Well, sure, reformed.. :)

What do you mean by opaque? You think there should have been a discussion about it at the time it was implemented? or a confinuing review process?

At the time it was implemented? That's too long ago to talk about now.

Honestly, as I said before, I don't know very much about it in Singapore. I'm probably more familiar with the one(s) in the US, because the appeals process is much more drawn out and publicised. I don't think the government lays their policy about the death penalty wide open for us to study it. My only knowledge of it comes from reading the papers when I lived in Singapore -- where I would read about someone having the sentenced pronounced, and notices about executions being posted.

fyi Ivan, he was carrying about 1kg of weed, which makes for about US$20,000 (assuming it was decent herb) in agricultural product, which he would've paid anywhere from US$6,000 - US$10,000 for.

The execution of Shanmugam Murugesu is an outrageous and deplorable act. I condemn this injustice.

Alcohol causes more harm than Marijuana, and alcohol is Legal.

Marijuana should be legalized and regulated like Alcohol.

fyi diana, i kg of weed doesnt sell out at USD20.000.

A death penalty for bringing in weed is just outrageous. Injustice. The people of Singapore should brave up and revolutionize the system.

It sadden my that this happened, he wouldve still been alive if he wouldve just been born somewhere else. A death penalty should only be reserved for those that really deserved it.

Someone who killed seven people would get the same punishment as someone who brings in pot.
Wow.

People, its never too late.