Singapore’s stringent justice system has once again drawn international attention following the execution of Pannir, a man whose family and activists tirelessly argued for a change in his sentence over the past eight years. Despite their efforts, Pannir was executed on October 8th, marking the twelfth execution in Singapore this year.

His sister, Sangkari, believes that the Singaporean authorities should shift their focus from individuals like her brother to the major players in the drug trade. “If Singapore truly cared about its citizens’ safety, they would target the kingpins,” she asserted.

Both Sangkari and Angel dedicated themselves to seeking a reduction in Pannir’s sentence, advocating vigorously on his behalf. Credit: SBS Dateline

Journalist and activist Kirsten Han, who collaborates with the families of death row inmates, highlighted the relentless efforts of Pannir’s family. Their campaign involved lobbying politicians, engaging with the media, and working with NGOs, all in a bid to save his life.

As of now, Singapore has carried out 14 executions this year.

Kirsten Han, a journalist and activist who works with the families of inmates on death row, said Pannir’s family had worked “incredibly hard” to save his life, including campaigning, lobbying politicians and meeting with media and NGOs.

There have been 14 executions in Singapore this year.

Singapore’s war on drugs

In 2019, Pannir applied for a judicial review of this decision, but it was dismissed by Singapore’s court of appeal.

“Under international law and standards, the imposition of the death penalty for drug-related offences as a mandatory punishment is unlawful.”

But in the wake of his death, those who knew Pannir want to make it clear that he was much more than the offence for which he was convicted.

How people feel about the death penalty

“The quantities may be small, but the impact is not,” he argued.

Reporters without Borders ranks Singapore at 123 out of 180 countries for press freedom.

Anti-death penalty activist Kirsten Han says criticsm of the death penalty is not often discussed in mainstream media. Source: SBS / Adam Liaw

“Critical perspectives on the death penalty don’t make it into the mainstream media … you’re generally only getting government statements that the death penalty is working really well,” Han said.

She said the government will then publish survey opinions on whether the death penalty is working “and then they use that public opinion survey to justify that the majority of Singaporeans want to retain this system”.

Pannir’s life on death row

After Pannir’s death, she told Dateline that the government language used to describe drug traffickers often includes “very dehumanising rhetoric”, like calling them ‘proxy murderers’.

While on death row, Pannir began reading and writing, even publishing a poetry collection.

You Die from Within is a poem Pannir wrote in July 2024. Credit: SBS Dateline / Caroline Huang / Text supplied by Pannir’s family.

After his execution, when Pannir’s family collected his things, they were given a number of documents, Han said.

“Part of the belongings that were handed over to them was actually his handwritten manuscript for a second poetry collection that he wanted to get published.”

Looking forward