Nguyen case Part 2

New thoughts on the same thread.

Methinks that many harping about the Nguyen case are arm chair critics looking for a fight.

What the the other important issues in the case? How about the presence of drug dealers in Australia? How about the problem of asian immigrants being targetted to be forced to become runners?

How about issues of poverty? Of employment discrimation?

Let he who is sinless cast the first stone.... I think that the Australian media should engage in some self reflection upon the problems existing in their country instead of blaming anything and everything except themselves.

The posting at Mr Wang.

3 more points to consider.

First. Life imprisonment in Singapore in reality is hardly ever imprisonment for life. How so? In practice, after 20 years served, the prisoner is evaluated for suitability for release in periodic reviews in periods less than 12 months. In practice, after remissions it the prisoner can be released as early as after 14 years of jail.

14-20 years may be a long time in jail. But it can never be equated in deterrent effect to a death sentence. And there is the distinct risk that the released drug trafficker will return to their former trade.


Second. Society vs. traffickers - I don't think that Mcdarren disputes the fact that the current anti-drug measures are very effective in dealing with the drug menace. He proposes to change the existing equation simply to be more humane to the traffickers.

The issue of drug control has serious repercussions on the Singaporean society. Are we willing to take the risk of worsening the drug situation in Singaporean simply to be more humane to drug traffickers? If more traffickers infiltrate Singapore, and released traffickers return to their trade, how do we answer to their victims?


Third. The Nguyen case has been blown out of proportions by special interest groups and the Australian media. But have those compassionate souls considered other means of helping out?

Have they raised funds to help Nguyen's family since they are supposedly in dire circumstances?

Have they dealt with the criminals that were threatening Nguyen's family?

Have they studied the conditions of the Asian immigrants of Australia and addressed issues of poverty and employment discrimination?

Or are they simply more interested in using Nguyen as an excuse for a pointless exercise of state bashing, name-callings and loud accusations.

11/08/2005 10:00 AM

Nguyen case Part 1.

Newly created.

Made the account to reply on the Nguyen death sentence issue on Mr Wang’s blog.

The discussion carrying on under the comments section was quite passionate, with some arguing against the death sentence as being both cruel and unnecessary, while others argued that Australia's protests / Nguyen’s mitigation pleas have no merits.

Personally, I felt that the crux of the case was that there were insufficient factors to set the precedence of saving Nguyen.

If he was saved, then many other traffickers will refer to his case to beg for clemency – a most dangerous exception to make.

Here’s the three points I wrote :

“First. Even if Singapore were to consider changing the penalties for drug trafficking, it should occur under proper parliamentary procedure in due course. Commuting Nguyen sends out the worst possible signal possible - that expats can escape the drug trafficking penalty that applies to Singaporeans; or that our sovereignty is easily compromised by external pressure.

He have to die, even if future convicts may escape the death penalty under revised legislation, and there's no other way about it.

Second. The argument about Nguyen being in transit is flawed. If the laws against trafficking does not apply to the transit lobby, then does it mean that we should tolerate traffickers swapping drugs and arms in there? Either our laws apply, and apply fully, or it doesn't.

Clearly it needs to apply, and apply fully.

Third. Whether the death penalty is appropriate for drug trafficking is a matter of differing opinions. There are no conclusive studies that can prove whether the abolishing of the death penalty will improve or worsen the drug situation in Singapore, in the short term and the long term.

What is apparent though, is that the current laws did create a Singapore that is largely clear of the scourge of drug addiction. For changes to apply to something that works, there is a need for conclusive evidence as well as compelling circumstances.

So far there are none.”