JAN 24 — We refer to your story “Rights group alleges barbaric, unlawful execution methods in Singapore” (16 Jan), on the statement by Lawyers for Liberty (LFL), claiming Singapore's prison authority practises “brutal and unlawful hanging methods”.
LFL's statement contains falsehoods. It is the latest in a series of sensational and untrue stories published by LFL, calculated to seek attention and pressure the Singapore Government to exempt convicted Malaysian drug traffickers from the death penalty.
Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs has since issued Correction Directions under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act, refuting these baseless allegations of unlawful methods of judicial execution. These clarifications can be found at www.gov.sg/article/factually-clarifications on-falsehoods-posted-by-lawyers-for-liberty. Four entities in Singapore and Malaysia, including LFL, have been directed to carry a link to this clarification alongside their posts on LFL's statement.
It is unfortunate that you republished LFL's false allegations, without verifying the truth of an obviously sensationalist account.
Capital punishment is an issue that every country has the sovereign right to decide for itself, in accordance with its own circumstances and its obligations under international law. Singapore respects the sovereign right of other countries, including Malaysia, to determine their own legal systems, and expects the same in return.
* Vanu Gopala Menon is High Commissioner of Singapore to Malaysia
** This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
