Technician’s Plea to Save Son from Cambodian Imprisonment

KUALA LUMPUR: A technician, M. Karthigesu, is appealing to various parties, including the Malaysian government and the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), to secure the release of his 27-year-old son, Hemakavin, who has been imprisoned in Cambodia for a drug trafficking offence.

A Son’s Tragic Circumstances

Karthigesu’s son, Hemakavin, was allegedly duped by a drug trafficking syndicate when he went to Phnom Penh in 2016. He was arrested by the police at a hotel there and later sentenced to 25 years in prison by a Cambodian court. Hemakavin was just a teenager at the time of his arrest.

A Plea for Assistance

Karthigesu has been appealing to various parties, including the Malaysian government, to save his son. In November last year, Wisma Putra said a royal pardon can be considered for Hemakavin once he has served 20 years or more of his sentence. However, even then, the sentence can only be reduced by a third of the jail term.

AICHR Intervention Sought

Karthigesu is now turning to the AICHR, with the help of rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), to appeal for a royal pardon for his sentence to be reduced or be freed. Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy said Hemakavin deserves a second chance and that AICHR should persuade the Cambodian government to take part in the International Prisoner Transfer Programme to facilitate his return.

AICHR’s Commitment to Address the Issue

AICHR’s Malaysian representative, Edmund Bon, accepted a memorandum on the case from Karthigesu and Suaram. Bon said the commission will look at Hemakavin’s case “comprehensively and thoroughly” and will immediately try to start bilateral discussions with Cambodia on options.

The Challenge Ahead

Bon acknowledged that the internal democratic judicial processes in each Southeast Asian country had to be respected. He stressed that any action taken by the AICHR would need to be in compliance with these processes.

Conclusion

Karthigesu’s case highlights the complexities of drug-related crime and the challenges of ensuring justice is served. The AICHR’s involvement in this case may bring new hope for Hemakavin’s release, but it also underscores the need for continued efforts to address the root causes of drug addiction and trafficking.

FAQs

• What is the current status of Hemakavin’s sentence?

He was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a Cambodian court and fined RM45,000.

• What has been done so far to address his situation?

Karthigesu has appealed to various parties, including the Malaysian government, and Wisma Putra has offered a royal pardon option after 20 years of his sentence.

• What is the AICHR’s plan of action?

The AICHR will look at Hemakavin’s case “comprehensively and thoroughly” and will start bilateral discussions with Cambodia on options to facilitate his release.

• What is the current prognosis for Hemakavin’s release?

The outcome is uncertain, but Karthigesu remains hopeful that the AICHR’s intervention will bring a positive outcome.