COMMENT One popular tune for politicians to sing these days is for the antion to be rid of the death penalty. You know, death is such an ugly and eerie word in the first place, so why associate with it?

It’s popular for politicians to proclaim aloud to the world that it’s wrong to take the life of another person, no matter what. That’s putting on a very humane face.

And yes, capital punishment is incompatible with a modern, civilised justice system - which is why politicians from both sides of the divide have joined the chorus.

Well, is the death penalty considered uncivilised now? I could be among the minority who do not think so.

NONE It seems that de facto law minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz is in favour of abolishing the death penalty in Malaysia, at least in terms of not sending drug traffickers to the gallows.

One reason, Nazri said, is that it is difficult to appeal to other countries not to hang Malaysians when our country has the same penalty for the same offence.

I do not buy the minister’s argument. If Malaysians overseas commit crimes, then they have to face the wrath of the law there. Period.

If they are aware that the penalty for drug trafficking is death and still choose to take the risk, then they must face the consequences.

I don’t think it’s right to spare Jack the rod in order to save Jill because Jack and Jill went up the hill together and they should tumble down together. Catch the drift, you drug traffickers and drug mules?

The case should not be just based on human rights or humanitarian reasons for, if that is so, then what about the rights of those who have been ruined by drugs?

I still remember how Malaysia embarked on an all-out war against drugs in the 1970s - how we saw the destruction and damage it inflicted on the nation’s soul. Those hooked on drugs were condemned to a life of living hell.

When the head of the family is a drug addict, the whole family is destroyed. Lives of young and old are ruined. Drugs only leave a trail of destruction. Drugs show no mercy.

NONE Drugs was declared Malaysia’s public enemy Number One. Finally in 1983, the death penalty for drug traffickers was legislated. We meant business in the war against drugs then. Then premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad made sure Malaysia was tough against drug traffickers.

I have no personal experience with drugs. What I know and feel about drug abuse are the stories told to me or those I’ve read And I can tell you they are not very happy stories.

There was this case of the family of a former minister in Sarawak whose lives were ruined by drugs. The family fortune went up in smoke soon after the minister’s death because several of his children were drug addicts. I believe the poor family never recovered.

Weighing in on the issue, Karpal Singh went a step further. The DAP chairperson wants the federal government to scrap the mandatory death penalty altogether. His son and Penang legislator Jagdeep Singh Deo lent support, describing the death sentence as “inhumane”.

NONE Karpal said it is time the government spares the judges the agony of  having to “kill” a person for a crime. As a human being, it is always extremely difficult for a judge to pass the death sentence.

I’m not sure I share Karpal’s sentiments. Granted judges are humans with feelings, but they willingly sit on a high pedestal because the bench is considered the pinnacle of their career.

Do not expect others to do the dirty job always. Judges have to take that role responsibly in their stride, difficult though it may be.

If I were a judge, I think my conscience would be pricked more for ‘fixing’ judgments for self- gratification or for ruling in favour of political leaders who are known to be excessively corrupt and up to no good.

If a notorious drug trafficker is found guilty, what’s the issue with sentencing him to death in accordance with the law? The judge is actually doing a great service to the nation and people by ridding society of one more criminal.

Additional area

So, are we prepared to consider abolishing the death penalty for all offences?

Malaysia is among countries where the death penalty is mandatory for crimes such as murder, possession of firearms, waging war against the Agong and drug trafficking.

I would review the death sentence for possession of firearms and waging war against the Agong, as the scope is far and wide in these areas.

But the issue is quite straight-forward for murder and serious drug-related offences.

I’m sorry, but if you kill another human being for any reason, then you deserve what’s coming.

I azlan ’m sorry, but if you want to make easy money by trafficking drugs and ruining lives and destroying families in the process, you also deserve what’s coming. Go get a job, people. Others have to eke out a living too.

But I agree that the justice system must be fair and transparent. Those sentenced to death must be convicted beyond reasonable doubt. The justice system, in this case, must be perfect. But where can we find a perfect system?

Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was hanged after being found guilty and convicted of crimes against humanity by a special tribunal. Most would have watched the video of his execution and I’m sure not many of us, or none at all, shed a tear for him.

Back home, when Botak Chin or Mona Fandey were hanged, I believe we felt nothing except relief.

As I write this, the government has expressed grave concern over the arrest of two Malaysians suspected of being suicide bombers in Lebanon. They are linked to the global Islamic militant group Al Qaeda.

azlan If found guilty of terrorism, why should we appeal for their freedom? Must we do so just because they are fellow Malaysians? They have decided on their course in life, young and misguided or not, and they have to face the consequences.

Many of you are keen to see the end of capital punishment. But I would advocate an additional crime for the death penalty.

Political leaders who are excessively corrupt and have stolen from the state and people, causing misery and suffering to others in the process, should also be sent to the gallows. And there is an immediate candidate in Sarawak.

Finally, I’m not sorry for sounding cruel and being out of place by asking that the death penalty stays. It’s not that some people deserve to die, it’s just that some people do not deserve to live.

FRANCIS PAUL SIAH is the leader of the Movement for Change, Sarawak. He can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com