Grant clemency to save one but loose all?
I have never doubted the President and the government's decision of not granting clemency to Ngyun Tuong Van, who was sentenced to death after being caught at Changi Aiport's Transit Lounge for drug trafficking.
Why is there such a big fuss about it. Wanna play, then obey the rules.
Mr/Ms So and so, who wrote to Today, empathising with Ngyun for being sentenced to death in Singapore reasoning that Ngyun was not bringing heroin into Singapore or doing any harm to Singaporeans. How selfish can a person be. Since it doesn't harm us, we shall not be concerned although it will harm citizens of other countries? Anyway, what if he smuggle it back to Australia and the drugs indirectly was sold to Singaporean addicts who are living in Australia? Singapore is contributing to the world wide anti-drug campaigns in it's very own and harsh way. Unless you mean that heroin is poison only for Singapore Singaporeans, but food for all other people who do not stay in Singapore at the moment, I don't think it's right to let him off the hook so that he can do harm to others in other countries or even to his own countrymen back in Australia.
Young it may be for 25 year-old Ngyun. but old it should be for an adult to be held responsible for his own actions. 21 years old is the mark of switching from being a minor to being an adult. 25 is 4 years past that age. He should be used to being held responsible for whatever he decides on.
Drugs kill, regardless of how old the carrier is. It doesn't mean that drugs smuggled by a 25 year old is less deadly and harmful than drugs smuggled by a 50 year old. The ill effects of drugs are heavily and extensively publicised. I think we can safely assume that Ngyun is well aware of such facts.
It was too bad that although his intention was good, and he badly needed some financial help, he chose a wrong way and he has to pay for it. Furthermore, it is not justifiable to let off the poor if they were caught trafficking voluntarily due to 'forced' circumstances.
Think about the implications it means if Singapore is to grant clemency to Ngyun.
Singapore made huge efforts to keep our state as drug-clean as possible. We make no secrets about our harsh laws when dealing with traffickers. Should this hard-earned status be shed just for this young chap, who indeed was in the wrong? Should we practise double standards for those countries who are on good terms with us or had helped us in another way? Are the people who support clemency implying that bribery (by helping Singapore in one way or another) is the way to go if the other countries want their citizens to be pardoned if they ever were caught trafficking via Singapore?
I know that Ngyun had helped the police, without holding back, with much information about the drug dealers. But sadly, it is still not a move to buy your way out. Imagine, if I need some money, and I decide to smuggle drugs. And if the rule applies that if you try your best to help the police in their investigation, you'll escape death. I'll definitely take the risk. If I get through, I get the money. If I happened to get caught, I just spill the beans and I'll be spared. Isn't life too easy?
Ngyun had nearly 400gm of heroin with him. I'm not an expert, I'm not even a user. I don't know how many doses this can effect. But by punishing one, it can save a few others, then why not. Yes, if Ngyun had not do it, there will be others doing it. And addicts will still get their supply one way or the other. But think hard, if we do nothing, isn't it more disastrous???
Why is there such a big fuss about it. Wanna play, then obey the rules.
Mr/Ms So and so, who wrote to Today, empathising with Ngyun for being sentenced to death in Singapore reasoning that Ngyun was not bringing heroin into Singapore or doing any harm to Singaporeans. How selfish can a person be. Since it doesn't harm us, we shall not be concerned although it will harm citizens of other countries? Anyway, what if he smuggle it back to Australia and the drugs indirectly was sold to Singaporean addicts who are living in Australia? Singapore is contributing to the world wide anti-drug campaigns in it's very own and harsh way. Unless you mean that heroin is poison only for Singapore Singaporeans, but food for all other people who do not stay in Singapore at the moment, I don't think it's right to let him off the hook so that he can do harm to others in other countries or even to his own countrymen back in Australia.
Young it may be for 25 year-old Ngyun. but old it should be for an adult to be held responsible for his own actions. 21 years old is the mark of switching from being a minor to being an adult. 25 is 4 years past that age. He should be used to being held responsible for whatever he decides on.
Drugs kill, regardless of how old the carrier is. It doesn't mean that drugs smuggled by a 25 year old is less deadly and harmful than drugs smuggled by a 50 year old. The ill effects of drugs are heavily and extensively publicised. I think we can safely assume that Ngyun is well aware of such facts.
It was too bad that although his intention was good, and he badly needed some financial help, he chose a wrong way and he has to pay for it. Furthermore, it is not justifiable to let off the poor if they were caught trafficking voluntarily due to 'forced' circumstances.
Think about the implications it means if Singapore is to grant clemency to Ngyun.
Singapore made huge efforts to keep our state as drug-clean as possible. We make no secrets about our harsh laws when dealing with traffickers. Should this hard-earned status be shed just for this young chap, who indeed was in the wrong? Should we practise double standards for those countries who are on good terms with us or had helped us in another way? Are the people who support clemency implying that bribery (by helping Singapore in one way or another) is the way to go if the other countries want their citizens to be pardoned if they ever were caught trafficking via Singapore?
I know that Ngyun had helped the police, without holding back, with much information about the drug dealers. But sadly, it is still not a move to buy your way out. Imagine, if I need some money, and I decide to smuggle drugs. And if the rule applies that if you try your best to help the police in their investigation, you'll escape death. I'll definitely take the risk. If I get through, I get the money. If I happened to get caught, I just spill the beans and I'll be spared. Isn't life too easy?
Ngyun had nearly 400gm of heroin with him. I'm not an expert, I'm not even a user. I don't know how many doses this can effect. But by punishing one, it can save a few others, then why not. Yes, if Ngyun had not do it, there will be others doing it. And addicts will still get their supply one way or the other. But think hard, if we do nothing, isn't it more disastrous???
posted by Caller From The Falls at 7:52 PM
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