Yoursay: When drug mules are hanged, not kingpins

YOURSAY | ‘What would it take for S’pore to consider alternatives to its drug laws?’

'Was Singapore rushing to hang my brother?'

Alfanso: In Singapore, they know only one rule - execute those with drugs, regardless of the reason given by the accused.

Some countries do follow this. Such is the state of some governments, which are not brave enough to consider other alternatives. Is that all there is to it?

They know who the mules are, the intermediaries and also the boss, but it is easier to deal with the weak ones. What a shame.

Instead, why not take away the wealth that they have earned? It’s always the money factor. Make them forfeit the properties and the money they have, and repeat it as many times as needed. But don’t kill.

It is a real shame that there are no wise men in the government, only ball carriers and yes men.

Anonymous_f9ff4347: @Alfanso - I’m not commenting specifically on this case, but in general, once you realise that drugs will destroy the drug users and their loved ones, you will take a different position.

Drugs kill more people than you ever know.

Malaysia and Singapore both have strict laws on drugs. The laws are there to protect people. Let them do their job, which I believe they carry out with compassion.

Clear Thinking: Singapore has archaic laws. When it comes to drugs, there is no need to show that the man knew he was carrying drugs and not something else. It is an unjust law.

Capital punishment has not deterred drug trafficking in Singapore.

Since P Sangkari is a pastor’s son, why did the Christian group he belonged to in Malaysia and in Singapore not help him in any way? They could have given him a good character certificate, for instance.

Being Right: When a person is put to death, the suffering ends for him, whereas the intense suffering and pains endured by the whole family will never end until their own end on this earth.

We are actually living in a cruel world "managed" by humans in the name of God, where they create their own laws in different parts of the world. In the name of rule of law, they rule the way they want to rule.

Anonymous_1527654283: I share your sympathy, but drugs are something you don’t mess with in Singapore. Drugs are destroying our youth today. I am for the death penalty.

Anonymous 19811504508400: In the first instance, the authorities (not only Singapore, but every government) could have used the drug mule, discreetly, to lead them to the kingpin via a sting operation, for example.

The "package” would need to be delivered to an address or to a waiting person.

Arresting the mule destroys the many chances the authorities (customs, drug enforcement) could have to catch the real culprits.

Anonymous Anak Malaysia: Indeed, Singapore should go after the drug kingpin.

A proper investigation should be conducted, rather than chasing after the small fish just to increase its numbers in the fight against drugs.

In 'game-changing' move, gov't seeks to decriminalise personal drug use

Evin K: This (decriminalise personal drug use) is long overdue and a giant leap forward for a country like Malaysia - notoriously known not only for its zero tolerance towards drug traffickers but also drug addicts alike.

Drug addiction is a result of a person’s inability to cope mentally, and it is simply that - a mental disorder. Addicts must therefore be viewed as victims and treated as patients instead. Clearly, they are not criminals.

In fighting the war on drugs, we should go for the jugular. The focus should be and always remain on the drug pushers and the drug smugglers - the true criminals.

Abasir: A commendable first step in a journey of a million miles. And the first since May 2018.

Should we even hope for a similar acknowledgement of scientific fact and compassion to colour Malaysia’s treatment of the gay and transgender community? Or are we dictated by crude 16th-century prejudices parading as 21st-century virtues?

BA Baracus: Bravo to Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. At least our thinking is now backed by studies. The drug problem in Malaysia is huge.

Also, continue the preventive campaign in school. Kids should be taught how these drugs alter their biology. Merely saying “Tak nak” will not drive home the message.

Beeja: Yes, kudos to our health minister. We need more of such progressive thinking in every aspect of our lives.

What happened to the proposal to decriminalise attempted suicide?

David Dass: This policy involves science and evidence-based measures to try and deal with intractable problems. We lead the world here.

This should result in tens of thousands of convicted offenders being released. It will not make sense to keep them in jail.

Treatment of addicts without criminalising them will alter the drug landscape dramatically. We will keep our fingers crossed.

Snowcrash: This will be a game changer indeed.

It'll be a bold move to improve the lot of the most at-risk Malaysians, free up economic resources from wasteful and punitive practices, and make us a regional leader in effective and proven counter-trafficking strategies.

I just hope that the government has learnt to stick to its guns and deal with the inevitable bad-faith backlash from the regressive former government and their fundamentalist allies.

I'd hate to see another article in a day or two about how the minister was misquoted and the status quo will be preserved.

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