The following post was sent to me by S.H. Tan and I am reposting it here to encourage as many Penangites to attend the meeting tonight.
From S.H. Tan:
Between 1994 and 2004, Singapore has executed 408 (known cases as Singapore's Home Ministry does not announce or confirm its executions) prisoners making it the country with the highest rate of execution in the world.
Does Yong Vui Kong, less than 19 years old at the time of his arrest, deserve a second chance in life?
Does Man has the power over God to put an order to end another human life on the grounds of justice and social order?
Yong Vui Kong, a Malaysian, was only 19 years of age when he was caught and charged with trafficking 47 grams of diamorphine (heroin) in Singapore in 2007. Yong was sentenced to death in January 2009 under Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act which carries a mandatory death penalty for trafficking more than 30 gms of heroin.
On 14 May, the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal against the death sentence. A "Save Vui Kong" Campaign to get 100,000 signatures to seek clemency from the President of Singapore is currently in progress. His clemency plea expires on Aug 26. You can view and sign the on-line petition at the link here.
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PUBLIC FORUM: LESSONS LEARNT FROM YONG VUI KONG CASE
Panelists:
Nora Murat (Executive Director of Amnesty International Malaysia)
Choo Chon Kai (Secretariat of SUARAM Penang)
Clement Ong (Member of Human Rights Committee, Bar Council)
Moderator:
Datuk Dr. Toh Kin Woon (President, Lim Lian Geok Cultural Development Centre)
Date: Sunday 22 August 2010
Time: 8.00 - 10.00pm
Venue:
Han Chiang College
Lim Lean Teng Road, Penang.
Jointly organised by:
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
Amnesty International Malaysia
ADMISSION IS FREE. ALL ARE WELCOMED.
10 comments to PUBLIC FORUM - Lessons Learnt from Yong Vui Kong Case
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Doc Hi Paula,
how's life? hope you and all at home are in the pinkest of health.
I'm in the grey as far as the Yong Vui Kong case is concerned. I hope you don't get me wrong here. I'm all for rehab, recovery and 2nd chances, but would we grant the same to let's say a Nigerian who is also on death row for trafficking drugs into Malaysia? Would we entertain the cries of the convict's loved ones? It would be unfair to do unto others what we would not want done unto us. If we want Yong free, then we need our policy makers to change our policies with regards to the death penalty and abolish it completely. My heart goes out to Yong and all his loved ones. I for one would be very much grateful if his appeal goes through as this boy has a whole life ahead of him. That said, i also consider drug trafficking a very serious offence ( serious enough for a death sentence). As such i have humbly opted not to pick sides on this one.
Cheers
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rainstorm Hi MWS.
I'm a firm believer in giving people second chance, however; drug trafficking is a serious crime ! And when people don't respect the country's rule & law with regards to drugs trafficking, then he/she has to face the consequences and take responsibility of their actions.
Imagine if a country that does not enforced such a strict law on drugs trafficking, the repercussion on the country & society at large is beyond us to handle...
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Unknown Dear StraightTalking
I do agree with you that Vui Kong should be given a second chance after rehabilitation. You have raised very important points and have written with much compassion and fairness. A very wise man you are, StraightTalking.
I hope you have signed the petition. Last night, they needed about 3000+ more signatures and they will be handing it to the authorities tomorrow.
Take care and have a blessed evening.
Warmest regards
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Unknown Dear Dr Saravanan
It is truly WONDERFUL to hear from you again!!! I have missed your comments and your SUPERB blogging and mourn each time I see no updates from you or Ocho-Onda :-(.
Thank you that despite your busyness, you have taken the time to swing by and to share your thoughts.
Indeed this is a tough question - on one hand we have the death penalty and on the other we have the issue of drug trafficking.
That is why I have YET to write my report on the forum held last night.
Please keep in touch and resume your blogging!!!
I am eagerly waiting!!
Here's wishing you and your beautiful missus a wonderful evening together with the kids.
Warmest regards
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Unknown Dear rainstorm
Like what I said to Dr Saravanan, this one is a tough issue which is why I have yet to blog on the forum.
Sometimes - it is so tough when we are caught in grey areas.
Yet, one thing is for sure - no one has a right to play God and to take away the life of another for any reason.
It does not make sense to use violence to punish a crime.
If you are free, please read "Once A Jolly Hangman" by Alan Shadrake. He is now in Singapore prison cos of the book. I am reading it now and it is an eye-opener indeed.
Take care and thanks for sharing.
Keep in touch and have a lovely evening.
Cheers
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Anonymous I have already signed the petition.
I know there'll be those who agree with my view and those who don't.. We're merely reacting as human beings confronted with a situation that demands our immediate decision.
Both are neither right nor wrong.
StraightTalking
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Doc Hehehe! great minds think alike they say. I'm reading the same book. You should write about it and maybe give a chance to make my usual long and winding comments...
cheers & good night
P/S: congrats on your son's graduation. Maybe it's time you guys formed a family band...and call yourselves 'the wordsmiths'...:)
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Unknown Dear StraightTalking
Thanks for signing the petition and for your rational and fair comment.
God bless and keep you and yours healthy and happy always.
Thank you so much for being a constant encouragement, moderator, defender, warrior and a friend for all seasons!
Cheers!
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Unknown Dear Dr Saravanan
Haha! Ya, I intend to write a blog post on the death penalty, its implications, history, alternatives and also about the forum.
A lot of work, research, planning etc...and I have been so busy today.
Shadrake's book is really excellent, isn't it?
Jon is graduating at the end of this year and I will be in KL again soon. Perhaps our families can meet up and even with other readers like ahoo, Straighttalking, Arthur, rainstorm and whoever is free.
Thanks for sharing. Take care and hope to see your comments more often!!! Brother - please start blogging again!!! SO many of your pet issues at play now, especially the TBH case.
Have a restful evening!
Cheers
Anonymous Speaking for myself, I feel that Vui Kong should be given a second chance. His young age should be the most important mitigating factor. We always say that our youth are impressionable and Vui Keong is a classic case of a misguided youth. You mix with the wrong people and you’re farked. Sure, blame it on bad parenting or broken home, but the fact remained, his parents never chose his friends for him. He did. And he walked the wrong path, one time too many. He probably knew how serious it is if he’s caught, but there was probably no one close enough and knew what he was doing to pull him out of the pit. I don’t buy the “he was naïve” bit, but nevertheless, to hang the boy is really out of touch with humanity.
However, in exchange for that, he should remain incarcerated for a justifiable period of time. During that period, Vui Kong should voluntarily offer himself as an agent of change and pay back to society what he took away. He should go on national TV and other anti-drug campaigns to spread the message that doing drugs do not pay. Nothing can be more convincing than to hear it from someone who has been to hell and back. Especially someone his age.
I support the “Save Vui Kong” campaign.
StraightTalking