Pannir Selvam Pranthaman has fought bravely against the death penalty for many years, not just for himself but also for other prisoners on death row in Changi Prison.
Family members of other prisoners have said that Pannir often reviews legal documents and arguments for their loved ones. One sister recalled in 2022 that, when she talked to her brother about his case, he said he would consult with Pannir: “If Pannir says okay, then I think it’s okay.”
As a death row prisoner, Pannir’s freedoms and access to resources are heavily restricted. He hasn’t let that stop him from using his voice. He has written extensively about the death penalty and life in prison, with some letters published in Malaysiakini and elsewhere.
An excerpt from one of Pannir’s letters published by Malaysiakini and The Malay Mail.
Pannir has also encouraged his family to take action, not just for him but also for many others who are struggling and in need. At his urging, his family set up Sebaran Kasih, a non-profit organisation that works with underprivileged and marginalised communities in Malaysia.
Sebarah Kasih actively participates in human rights activities in Malaysia, standing in solidarity with other groups and working hard on their mission to uplift and empower.
In collaboration with Malaysian musicians and artists, Sebaran Kasih and the Save Pannir campaign have managed to publish three songs written by Pannir.
This is from a letter Pannir wrote in 2019:
“I have a goal. I hope to live on and I have a passion and direction in what I can do, if I ever do live. I’ve shared whatever I can here, and if you’re reading this, I’m eternally thankful.
This is just a small part of what I know, I believe I can be a better person. I have done my best to change in these five years and I will do the same in the coming days.
I value my life so much now and I want to be there for my family too, as well as atone for sins to them, society and my country.
If given a chance, I’d do what I can to save a life. In my defence, I did not murder anyone, I did not take anyone’s life, but I do admit my mistakes and I sincerely apologise as I did not know it was heroin, and I wish for a chance to heal and fix the mess that I have caused in my ignorance and foolishness.
I sincerely want to right my wrongs, not just because I am guilty, but I think every one of us has a moral responsibility to live their lives, the best they can, in the service of others.
Taking my life away can never justify my involvement in this, but giving it back to me with a second chance, would justify, I believe, the life I would live from then on.“
On Sunday, Pannir and his family were informed that his execution has been scheduled for Thursday (20 February).
His family only had hours to rush down to Singapore from Malaysia to spend as much time with him as they can.
Show up for Pannir, the activist: 19 Feb 2025, 7–9:30PM at Speakers’ Corner, Hong Lim Park
We gather this Wednesday night for a candlelight vigil to mark our resistance to Pannir’s execution and to honour the 12 people who have been murdered by the state in the last 12 months, through a collective memorial.
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