PETALING JAYA: Malaysian citizen P Pannir Selvam, who was sentenced to death in Singapore for a drug-related offense, has been granted a stay of execution by the Singapore Court of Appeal today. However, new revelations about his former lawyer, Ong Ying Ping, have sparked controversy, as Ong has been accused of fraud and extorting money from Pannir’s family.
Ong Accused of Fraud and Extorting Money from Pannir’s Family
Pannir and his family have alleged that Ong deceived them and misled the court in cases related to death row inmates in Singapore. Pannir’s family claimed that they continued making payments to Ong even as he attempted to withdraw from the case.
According to Judge Woo Bih Li, Ong allegedly pressured Pannir into signing a notice to act in person (represent himself in legal proceedings) and withdrew from representing him just three days before the hearing on 1 August 2024. Ong was also accused of misleading the court regarding his reasons for withdrawing as Pannir’s counsel.
Shockingly, Ong allegedly continued collecting legal fees from Pannir’s family even after withdrawing from the case. He was also accused of forcing Pannir to double his legal fees from S$5,000 to S$10,000 by threatening to prioritize other cases if the payment was not made.
Judge Woo stated that there is sufficient evidence indicating misconduct, and the post-appeal capital case (PACC) application has a reasonable prospect of success.
Pannir Still on Death Row, Many More Malaysians Await Execution in Singapore
Despite being granted a stay of execution, Pannir remains on death row. His Malaysian lawyer, N Surendran, expressed relief over the decision but stressed that many other Malaysians are also facing execution in Singapore.
“We are grateful for this decision, but Pannir is still on death row. It’s not just Pannir—many other Malaysians are facing the gallows in Singapore. We remain deeply concerned and will continue fighting for justice,” he said.
Pannir was arrested at the Woodlands checkpoint on 3 September 2014 for carrying 51.84g of diamorphine. He maintains that he did not know the package he was given by a Malaysian to hand over to a Singaporean contained drugs.
In a recent development, the Singapore Court of Appeal has agreed to stay Pannir’s execution until the ongoing legal challenge against Section 18(2) of Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act is resolved. This section presumes that anyone found in possession of drugs is aware of their nature unless proven otherwise.
Judge Woo stated that since legal proceedings are still ongoing, the PACC application currently under consideration has a reasonable prospect of success.
This case not only gives Pannir another chance to fight for his innocence but also brings hope to other death row inmates and their families who are awaiting execution in Singapore.