hanging for half a kg of weeds? Isn't that too much? Andy, you better not go visit that place! Link Twins Campaign to Free Father from Death Row Tue Apr 12,10:28 AM ET Oddly Enough - Reuters SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Two 14-year-old Singapore brothers have begun a rare campaign in the city state to free their jailed father from death row, where he faces execution for trafficking about 1 kg (2.2 lb) of mar1juana. Twins Gopalan and Krishnan Murugesu, on the advice of their father's lawyer, handed out about 500 flyers in a busy shopping district seeking support for a petition against the execution, saying their father's death would make them orphans. "My parents are divorced and my father has been looking after us. My mother remarried, lives somewhere else and doesn't see us anymore. If he is hanged...we will become orphans," 14-year-old Krishnan Murugesu was quoted by local Today newspaper as saying. The twins, under care of their unemployed grandmother since their father was arrested in August 2003, rely on handouts from a welfare agency for daily expenses, said his lawyer, M. Ravi. Shanmugam Murugesu, 38, arrested at the Malaysian border, lost an appeal against a conviction of trafficking about a kg (2.2 lb) of cannabis. His lawyer is seeking clemency from Singapore President S.R. Nathan. Singapore enforces some of the world's toughest drug laws. Anyone aged 18 or over convicted of carrying more than 500 grams (17.6 ounces) of cannabis faces mandatory execution by hanging. In its 2004 report, rights group Amnesty International said about 400 people have been hanged in Singapore since 1991, mostly for drug trafficking, giving the wealthy city-state of 4.2 million people possibly the highest execution rate in the world relative to its population. Amnesty said only 6 people sentenced to death in Singapore has been spared execution. Singapore has staunchly defended its use of the death penalty and maintained that capital punishment has deterred major drug syndicates from establishing themselves in Singapore.
You kill someone, they try you, convict you and execute you. I believe there are no appeals either, but it has been awhile since I worked for the company that did business there.
There is no pollution there... there is no murder there... and there are no drugs there. Yet, that place scares me more than any of the worst urban slums in the US... how's that for human nature.
When I used to live there I remember them showing some hangings and canings on TV for a visiting Minister of Justice from some other country. Kind of interesting they busted that guy coming in from Malaysia considering their drug laws are just as strict. So if you're going to Singapore just remember to leave your ganja and your bubble gum at home. Random thought here. I wonder if Method and Red have ever toured Singapore?
I've heard they've actually eased up a bit - they don't hand you the list of "don'ts" that they used to when you get off the plane anymore. But it makes no difference to me, my ass ain't going there because of heard that it's the most boring major city in Asia by far - not surprising.
i don't give a **** what you've accomplished in terms of eliminating drugs, but when the punishment for a 1/2 kg of mar1juana equals the punishment for murder (which is a little more serious maybe?) then you've gone too far. that's like 400 people from harris county alone being executed since 1991. and not for killing anyone.
I also thought about that. Singapore lifts 12-year chewing gum ban Last Updated Thu, 27 May 2004 7:05:15 SINGAPORE - Singapore chewing gum enthusiasts rejoiced on Wednesday after the city state lifted draconian laws prohibiting gum consumption and allowed controlled sales for medical purposes. The laws were brought in 12 years ago to fight litter. But while the law has been relaxed, gum chewing is still tightly controlled in the affluent enclave. Those wanting to indulge the decadent habit will have to give their names and produce identification. And gum will continue to be available only at pharmacies. Pharmacists selling to customers without identification could be jailed for up to two years and fined nearly $3,000 US. "It's ridiculous that it's easier for 16-year-olds to visit prostitutes than it is to get chewing gum here," a student told the Associated Press. The relaxation came in response to U.S. pressure in free trade talks. About 19 medicinal and dental gum products including Nicorettes and Wrigley's will become available to those with proper documentation.
You know what's more shocking to me than the sentence? A drug-related thread not started by andymoon!
Wasn't there some movie about Singapore and their strict laws with Anne Hesh and Joaquin Phoenix? Paradise Lost, or something?
eh, i think the law and order thing is overblown, for the quality of life over there, the weather, the shopping, the beaches, the food, the women... I think its all worth it just to follow a few rules that I wouldn't likely break anyway. However, no nyquil there.
This reminds me of "Come see the paradise" it has Vince vaughn and jaquin phoenix in it.... If you have not seen it's very damn good.
