Nagaenthran's funeral a mournful affair

 

About 200 people attended the funeral of Nagaenthran Dharmalingam, a Malaysian who was executed at Singapore's Changi Prison on April 27.

The funeral ceremony started at 12.15pm at his residence in Taman Indah, Tanjung Rambutan before the body was cremated at 5.15pm at the Buntong Hindu Crematorium, Perak.

The ceremony was mournful, and there were several banners hung around the house with the words "We Love You Boy Anne" (we love you, brother Boy), referring to Nagaenthran's nickname, 'Boy'.

Immediate family members, relatives, and friends, including those from Johor, Kedah and Pahang, were in attendance at the ceremony held according to Hindu customs.

Also present were representatives from civil societies Suaram and Amnesty International, who were there to pay their last respects.

Nagaenthran's body was carried around the housing area before being loaded into a hearse, and neighbours were standing in front of their houses to pay their last respects to him as his body was carried around the neighbourhood.

Nagaenthran, 34, was sentenced to death in 2010 for trafficking 42.72 grammes of heroin in Singapore, which is known to be among the countries with the strictest narcotics laws globally.

He was supposed to be hanged on Nov 10, 2021, but obtained a temporary stay on Nov 9 after the court was told he had tested positive for Covid-19 while appearing in the trial for his final appeal against the death sentence.

On Tuesday, Singapore's Court of Appeal dismissed the final appeal filed by his mother, Panchalai Supermaniam, to challenge the decision and to set aside the conviction and death sentence against him.

Following this, Nagaenthran was executed early this Wednesday morning.

Nagaenthran’s casket being carried around his residence

'A quiet man'

Meanwhile, an individual who attended the funeral said he had spent time with Nagaenthran in the Changi Prison.

The man, who only wanted to be known as 'Joe', said he was with Nagaenthran in Changi Prison from 2010 to 2011 before he was released.

"Boy was a quiet man.

"He always talked about his family, especially his mother. He also wanted to return to Malaysia.

"At that time, Nagaenthran had not been sentenced to be hanged," he said to Malaysiakini.

Nagaenthran’s neighbours paying their last respects to him