BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Bigger Picture  >  Beyond The Ballot Box  >  We Must Save Pannir From Execution in Singapore

We Must Save Pannir From Execution in Singapore

Dobby Chew, CEO, HAYAT

18-Feb-25 15:00

We Must Save Pannir From Execution in Singapore

Pannir Selvam Pranthaman is a 38-year-old Malaysian on death row in Singapore for trafficking 51.8g of diamorphine. Pannir was not a kingpin nor a drug lord but a man caught in the web of poverty, desperation, and manipulation. 

Back in 2020, I interviewed the sister of Pannir Selvam and human rights lawyer Latheefa Koya, about Pannir’s journey and the need to abolish the death penalty. Now, nearly four years later, the fight to save him has reached its most critical moment. 

According to his former lawyer, M Ravi, Pannir will be executed this Thursday, the 20th of February.  In a recent Facebook post, Ravi shared that Pannir’s sister had received a letter from the prison confirming his execution.

HAYAT, which is an NGO working on rehabilitative and restorative justice, released a statement that reads, "His status as a courier was acknowledged by Singapore courts, and he provided extensive information to authorities during the investigation. The information was also given to Singaporean authorities by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) through his family via a police report."

Despite the years-long efforts of his family and activists, his fate remains unchanged. 

In this episode, we're joined by Dobby Chew, who's the CEO of HAYAT. We discuss if there’s still room left to save Pannir and also if the war on drugs and the death penalty solves the problem of drug trafficking.


Produced by: Dashran Yohan

Presented by: Dashran Yohan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  politicsgovernmentinternationalLaw/Activism

Tags:  death penaltypannir selvamcapital punishmentdrugsdrug policy





Play / Pause

Listen now : Budget Day Programming

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Tim Waterer, Chief Market Analyst, KCM Trade tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Chong Tjen San, Director, CGS International discusses Malaysia's construction sector and whether Budget 2026 will help it grow even more.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Antony Lee, Deputy Chairman of General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) on EVs costing more to repair and maintain.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Julia Goh from UOB and Soh Lian Seng from KPMG discuss expectations for Budget 2026.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Patrick Sim of the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) shares what the industry hopes from Budget 2026.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Kathryn Robison of the United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney discusses President Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Chicago.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Tim Waterer, Chief Market Analyst, KCM Trade tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Chong Tjen San, Director, CGS International discusses Malaysia's construction sector and whether Budget 2026 will help it grow even more.

9:35 AM

What's The Focus

We wrap up the week’s biggest conversations to keep you in the know.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Joshua Tan, Co-Founder & CEO, and Craig Goonting, COO of TROOPERS on how they are redefining gig work in Malaysia and the region.

11:00 AM

Mattsplained

Matt Armitage, Founder, Kulturpop

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Firdaos Rosli, Chief Economist, AmBank Group, on macroeconomic expectations and an outlook for 2026

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Our flagship show, we feature both game-changers and groundbreakers in the hot seat.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Front Row

Mozart’s Don Giovanni gets a bold new twist as KL City Opera reimagines the classic tale of seduction and downfall in the world of modern corporate Kuala Lumpur. Conductor Bernard Tan and baritone Mak Chi Hoe share more.

3:30 PM

Front Row

What The Elders Left Us revisits Malaysia’s post-Merdeka arts scene, to explore what those artists and their stories can teach us today. Collaborators Jo Kukathas and Paul Augustin share how the festival brings that vibrant era back to life.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Livestream of Budget 2026 from Parliament.

5:00 PM

Budget Day Programming

6:00 PM

Budget Day Programming

7:00 PM

Budget Day Programming

8:00 PM

Bar None

We speak to a sport climbing coach and a skateboarder to learn how they train as athletes.

9:00 PM

The Selector

Covering all styles of music from indie, dubstep, folk, soul, electro and everything in between from some of the most exciting artists in the UK