The government must act in the best interest of society by retaining the death sentence, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam stated on September 14th, underlining that its deterrent impact against drug trafficking saves thousands of lives.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Mr. Shanmugam was asked what it would take for Singapore to reconsider its position on the death sentence.
As of last year, more than 65 percent of Singaporeans support the obligatory death sentence, the minister said.
"But... what is the Government's role? It is to act in the best interests of Singaporeans and society. If we think, as we do, that the death sentence saves thousands of lives due to its deterrent impact, then we support the death penalty "he stated.
"And I can show you how many more people die in nations that do not have the death sentence and do not enforce their drug policies."
According to Amnesty International, Singapore has executed five individuals for drug trafficking so far this year, with the courts rejecting last-ditch petitions from death row detainees in recent months.
Mr. Shanmugam told the BBC in June that he had no doubts that the death sentence is the correct policy for drug trafficking, citing "clear evidence" that it is an effective deterrence for would-be traffickers.
Mr. Shanmugam cited the April anti-death penalty demonstration at Hong Lim Park in response to claims of a "groundswell" of opposition to Singapore's death punishment among activists, news outlets, and famous figures such as British entrepreneur Richard Branson.
According to the event's organizers, more than 400 individuals attended, although Mr. Shanmugam says these figures are typically "exaggerated."
"Now, then, if we feel that it is in Singapore's best interest, and if the great majority of Singaporeans support it, as they do, do you want us to alter policy because four newspapers write about it, interviewing and citing the same three activists?" he questioned.
"And I am not claiming that these are exact statistics, but I am giving you an idea. Singapore would not be where it is today if the government policy could be altered by 400 individuals and three newspaper pieces, or by Mr. Richard Branson."
Mr. Shanmugam also mentioned Thailand's legalization of cannabis and Malaysia's similar plans for medicinal marijuana, stating that the growing availability of narcotics will present Singapore with additional issues.
"However, the great majority of Singaporeans recognize that drugs are harmful to society," he stated on Wednesday.
"There is a small group that believes it should be legalized. And because of the portrayal in popular media, younger people, while a minority, tend to have a somewhat different perspective on cannabis; these are all obstacles we must overcome."
Mr. Shanmugam said that Singapore's restrictions are "sufficient" when asked whether this implies authorities will consider stronger controls and "greater monitoring" of people coming in from countries such as Thailand and Malaysia.
"However, the laws, the quantity, the type of evidence required, the applicable assumptions or presumptions, and the inferences the courts might make are technical concerns that are continually examined," he added.
And, as you know, we have changed the statute several times and will continue to do so as appropriate.
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