KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: A group of Malaysian Members of Parliament has appealed to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to confirm the progress of an ongoing investigation linked to death row inmate Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, who faces execution in Singapore on 8 October 2025.
Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, speaking on behalf of the group, said Pannir had recently provided “crucial information” identifying individuals in Malaysia allegedly responsible for supplying him with drugs and persuading him to smuggle them into Singapore.
According to Ramkarpal, Malaysian police officers from Bukit Aman interviewed Pannir at Changi Prison on 27 September 2025, with the session lasting about three hours.
During this interview, Pannir reportedly offered material evidence that could expose a cross-border drug trafficking network operating between Johor and Singapore.
Ramkarpal said the MPs supporting the appeal believe there is “reasonable possibility” that the information given by Pannir could lead to prosecutions of key individuals connected to the syndicate.
He added that this would make Pannir a vital witness in any resulting legal proceedings.
“Given that his execution is scheduled within 48 hours, we urge the Home Minister or PDRM to publicly confirm that the investigation into the information and statements provided by Pannir on 27 September is still ongoing and has not yet been completed,” said Ramkarpal during a press conference in Parliament on 6 October 2025.
He emphasised that prematurely carrying out the execution could undermine efforts to dismantle the drug syndicate and embolden its leaders to continue operations.
“There can be no doubt that Pannir is actively assisting the authorities in Malaysia,” he stated.
“Executing him now, before PDRM completes its investigation, would only embolden syndicates while the masterminds remain at large.”
Pannir’s sister, Angelia Pranthaman, who attended the press conference, confirmed that the recent interrogation followed the arrest of a Malaysian “drug kingpin” allegedly linked to her brother’s case.
She expressed hope that Malaysian authorities would continue pursuing the investigation thoroughly.
Earlier, in a media statement on 4 October, Ramkarpal noted that Malaysian police were granted access to Changi Prison to interview Pannir in relation to four police reports filed between 2018 and 2025.
These reports allegedly named individuals believed to be part of a syndicate operating in Johor during that period.
Ramkarpal thanked Singaporean authorities for their cooperation in facilitating the interview but clarified that “there is currently no indication the investigation has concluded.”
He added that such investigations “would likely take time to conclude” and that Pannir should be treated as a key witness rather than an accused awaiting execution.
Ramkarpal also confirmed that lawyer Too Xing Ji, who represents Pannir in Singapore, has filed a stay of execution request following these new developments.
Human rights lawyer M Ravi has also highlighted the urgency of the appeal.
Pannir was convicted by the Singapore High Court on 2 May 2017, for importing at least 51.84g of diamorphine into Singapore via the Woodlands Checkpoint on 3 September, 2014. He was sentenced to the mandatory death penalty under Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act.
His appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on 9 February 2018, and his clemency petition to the President of Singapore was rejected.
Pannir had previously been granted two stays of execution.
The first was in May 2019, when he sought to challenge the clemency rejection and the Public Prosecutor’s decision not to issue him a Certificate of Substantive Assistance.
A second stay was granted in February 2025, which was lifted after the dismissal of his post-appeal application on 5 September.
On 6 September, a further stay request was rejected by the Court of Appeal. This application was linked to disciplinary proceedings Pannir had initiated through the Law Society against his former legal representative.
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