PETALING JAYA: With only days to go before the expected execution of Malaysian Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam for drug trafficking, many concerned citizens have pleaded with the Singapore government to commute the death sentence.
This includes a young man named Dhia Rezki, who made a placard on Nagaenthran yesterday in an attempt to raise awareness about his case and with the hope the Malaysian government will intervene.
However, Dhia’s action landed him in trouble with the authorities\
“I brought a placard on an LRT train on my way to work yesterday to raise awareness and urge the government to intervene in the execution. Unfortunately, I was stopped by auxiliary police who told me I could not do this,” he told FMT.
According to Dhia, the policeman said his action and the message on the placard was a form of public provocation.
He said he was escorted off the train at the Bangsar LRT station and taken to an auxiliary police room for questioning.
“I had informed my colleagues that I would be late for work when I was escorted off the train. I was very scared, honestly.
“I started recording the auxiliary cop who escorted me off the train, and that was when he got upset. He yelled at me, telling me I could not record him as he pulled the phone away from my hand and did not return it until after the end of the questioning.”
He said the questioning was “intimidating”, adding that “they fired question after question at me about what the sign meant”.
“They kept on telling me that I was not allowed to do this and they would get in trouble if anyone important had seen me and my placard,” he said.
“They told me they would not be afraid to press charges if things got out of hand.”
He said the police seized the placard and released him 10 minutes later.
Dhia said he had no intention to trouble anyone and had just wanted to show support in the case involving Nagaethran, who is said to be mentally disabled.
“I don’t think enough Malaysians are aware of his case, which was why I chose to carry the sign in public.
“When it comes to drug-related offences, people often shy away from conversations because of the nature of the crime and the misguided belief that anything related to drugs is bad.
“I also feel that not much attention has been given to this case because of Nagaenthran’s background.”
Nagaenthran, who was convicted of trafficking in 42.72gm of diamorphine in 2011, is expected to be executed on Nov 10.
He had been diagnosed with a borderline intellectual disability with an IQ of 69.
FMT has reached out to Prasarana and the police for comments. - FMT
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