Dap Leader How Did Drug Mules Clear Malaysian Checks Into Singapore

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Following the execution of yet another Malaysian drug mule in Singapore, a senior DAP leader today raised questions over the effectiveness of Malaysian border checkpoints.
In a statement, DAP secretary for international affairs Kasthuri Patto wanted to know how the mules could pass Malaysian authorities and cross into Singapore while carrying drugs.
“All of these men, and many others, had been arrested in Singapore at the checkpoint while travelling from Malaysia.
“The burning and inevitable question here is why were they not apprehended by the Malaysian customs or the police force on Malaysian soil?
ADS“Did the Malaysian officers not know of the packages on these men or in their vehicles?” she asked.
The former Batu Kawan MP also questioned if the authorities were aware of the smugglers but still “allowed” them to cross the border so the suspects could be apprehended by Singapore law enforcement.
Johor Bahru-Singapore causeway bridge“What if others had attempted to smuggle out explosives, bombs, or worse, trafficking children from Malaysia into Singapore? Would their activity be flagged and alarm bells rung?”
Kasthuri urged the authorities that control Malaysia’s borders to increase their resources so they can arrest drug mules before the smugglers cross into a neighbouring country.
According to her, drug mules are often victims of syndicates who prey on the poor and those from marginalised communities.
By apprehending the mules, authorities can get vital information that can lead to drug traffickers and recruiters, she added.
Death penalty ‘not deterrent’
Kasthuri condemned the use of the death penalty against low-level drug smugglers.
“In many cases, too, the powerful, the privileged, and those with connections in higher places often are not dealt with the same long arm of the law as the man or woman on the street. Make no mistake, one must be accountable for their actions.
“There are no shortcuts, but the death penalty is certainly not a deterrent - especially in the cases of drug smugglers into Singapore.
“At the rate Singapore is executing people for drug-related offences, the drug menace should be at zero. It clearly isn’t,” the DAP Women vice chairperson said.
On Wednesday, Singapore executed 39-year-old K Datchinamurthy, who was convicted of smuggling 44.96g of diamorphine into the republic.
ADSThe Malaysian was first sentenced to death in 2015 following his arrest in 2011, and was scheduled to be executed in 2022.
However, he obtained a stay of execution from the Singapore High Court pending his legal suit against the Singapore government over his death sentence.
K DatchinamurthyDatchinamurthy was also one of four Malaysians on death row in Singapore whom Suhakam highlighted earlier this month as part of its appeal for Putrajaya to intervene in their executions.
The other three are P Pannir Selvam, S Saminathan, and R Lingkesvaran. - Mkini

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