Malaysian national Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, 38, has been executed in Singapore after being convicted of trafficking 51.84 grammes of heroin in 2014. His execution was confirmed early this morning by his family and human rights activists.
This marks the second execution of a Malaysian in Singapore within two weeks, following the hanging of K. Datchinamurthy Kataiah on September 25, 2025, also for drug trafficking.
Pannir was arrested at the Woodlands Checkpoint on September 3, 2014, after authorities discovered heroin in his possession. He was convicted by the Singapore High Court on June 27, 2017, and sentenced to death under the country’s strict drug laws — which mandate capital punishment for trafficking more than 15 grammes of heroin.
All of his appeals and clemency applications were subsequently rejected. During his years on death row, Pannir was said to have transformed his life, writing poetry, mentoring others, and founding a small initiative to support inmates and their families.
Groups including Amnesty International have condemned Singapore’s continued use of capital punishment for non-violent drug offences, describing it as a violation of international human rights principles.
Source: Malay Mail
