Ramasamy: Perception behind high number of Indians on Singapore death row?

 

Deputy Penang Chief Minister II P Ramasamy has questioned whether perceptions on the community played a role in resulting in high numbers of Malaysian Indians on death row in Singapore.

His remark came after Malaysiakini reported six out of seven Malaysians on death row at Changi prison on the island republic are of Indian ethnicity.

Ramasamy said he does not believe authorities in Singapore have any covert attempt to link crimes such as drug trafficking with ethnicity and has no doubt that those committing crimes should get their punishments.

Stopping short of asserting his reasoning of why so many Indians are on death row, Ramasamy said he is worried that the growing number is creating a perception that Indians are prone to commit crimes.

“The high number of Indians on death row might be just accidental, it might not have anything to do with Indians being singled out for crime.

“What is worrisome is not the tough laws or the death penalty but the growing perception amongst the law enforcers in Singapore that Indians are more likely than others in committing crime than others,” he said in response to Malaysiakini’s article on Facebook.

'It's the same in M'sia'

Ramasamy drew a comparison between Malaysia and Singapore, noting the similar possible perception among people as there is a disproportionate amount of ethnic Indians in custody in Malaysia.

“This is the same in Malaysia, it is not laws or the capital punishment, but the worrisome fact of a growing, unhealthy perception that Indians have the propensity to engage in crime.

“If such a perception is prevalent then it is dangerous and not fair to the Indians in Singapore and Malaysia,” he said.

The first ethnic Indian to become a state’s deputy chief minister, Ramasamy argued perceptions can play a role when it comes to law enforcement, adding that racism can still exist in Singapore even if it is suppressed through the means of tough laws.

“My concern is not so much in the exercise of the laws but how perceptions of crime and who might be involved and might influence the decision making in the apprehension of those involved.

“I merely hinted at something, such as perception about crimes and who might be involved, without saying that a particular ethnic is being targeted,” he said.

The DAP leader also pointed towards the socio-economic and political position of Indians in both countries, hinting that it may have a role to play in resulting unfair perception of the community.

“Ethnic profiling of crimes might be discernible in Malaysia, but I am not sure of Singapore.

“Maybe universities and research institutes in Singapore would want to ponder on the question of whether certain ethical groups have the proclivity to engage in crimes.

“Is it because of their ethnicity or because of their social, economic and political position?” Ramasamy questioned. - Mkini